ROLE OF A LIFETIME
Actor back in Badlands
Aaron Krogman is one incredibly happy man.
The Alberta singer, musician, actor and teacher became a father for the first time 20 months ago and has a new, rewarding job teaching drama at King ’s Christian University.
This summer, after a three-year hiatus, which allowed him to complete his theatre degree in Vancouver, Krogman will once again be playing Jesus in the Canadian Badlands Passion Play in Drumheller. For the first time, he’ll be singing much of his role.
“It’s pure serendipity. I wasn’t meant to be playing Jesus this summer, but the actor originally contracted had a conflict. They contacted me and, as fate would have it, my summer was free,” says Krogman from his temporary home in Rosebud.
Once the main cast members were assembled, the producers realized most of the actors were also singers.
“Luke Ertman agreed to turn much of our dialogue into songs. It’s a wonderful, crazy thing Luke has pulled off.
“For all of us, it’s been a total white-knuckle ride. It’s the first time the Canadian Badlands Passion Play has essentially been a musical and, looking at how exciting an idea this is, we wonder why it took so long for this to happen.”
Krogman feels it’s a much more potent way of communicating on the huge Badlands stage. It’s the largest outdoor stage in Canada and, for the actors, that means trying to balance emotion with volume.
“Singing is the solution. We are singing out our characters’ interior experiences. Joy Robinson, who plays Mary, has the most incredible song. It’s so moving.”
Krogman has always maintained that playing Jesus is the pinnacle of his acting career and reprising the role was something he always hoped to do, but now that his Jesus will be singing much of his dialogue, Krogman insists “I have not been more excited about a project in my life.
“Now that I see how amazing this newest version of the Passion Play is going to be for the actors and the audiences, I would have been so sad not to have been part of it.
“Not only do we have Luke Ertman’s incredible music but we have a nine-piece band playing it live on stage. It will be an awesome experience for everyone.”
This musical version marks the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Badlands Passion Play.
The newly renovated amphitheatre now seats more than 2,500 people. To accommodate the audiences which have grown from 6,700 in 2005 to 12,000 in 2017, a third weekend of performances has been added. From July 6 to 22, Friday and Saturday performances start at 6 p.m. with a 4 p.m. matinee performance on Sundays.
Vance Neudorf, the producing director of the Badlands Passion Play, says he moved performances to later in the day so the shade from the hills can cover the audience as the play progresses.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy this incredible intimate, outdoor experience as fully as possible.
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy this incredible intimate, outdoor experience as fully as possible.”
To help celebrate the milestone of 25 years, Neudorf has brought back Badlands alumnus Tim Hildebrand, who now lives and works in Los Angeles, to play Simon Peter.
“Tim’s Simon is actually the main character in the Gospels of Luke,” said Krogman. “We see the story unfold though Simon’s perspective. He stands in for all of Israel and for the audience. Simon Peter’s journey is the character arc we follow.”
Tickets for the Canadian Badlands Passion Play are selling fast. The opening night performance is already sold out. To reserve tickets, call 1-888-823-2001 or check out canadianpassionplay.com