LAKE COUNTY — It”s Passion Play time. The signs of the season include colorful, waving flags and crosses atop the hill of Beltramo Ranch in Upper Lake. More than 130 actors rehearsed behind the grassy hill specked with lambs and llamas for six weeks in preparation for the play this weekend.
In its 28th year, the play has gained notoriety as one of the best in the nation.
“As far as the setting goes, it is second to none. Others have professional actors, but they”re inside or it”s not as fantastic of a setting, and a lot gets lost,” Lake County Passion Play founder Father Philip Ryan said.
Portraying the last days of Jesus” life, from the Last Supper to after the Resurrection, the play draws viewers of all ages, religious backgrounds and from locations across the U.S.
Father Ryan, originally from Ireland, and Father Paul Moran, worked together to put on the first play.
Father Ryan originally wanted to hold a “Way of the Cross” production at the Beltramo Ranch. Father Ryan had spent 10 years in the Diocese of Maitland, New South Wales, Australia, and wanted to share the production he was familiar with in the U.S.
Father Moran came to St. Mary”s Catholic Church in Lakeport after studying communications at UC Berkeley, and suggested a Passion Play instead. Prior to studying at UC Berkeley, he spent seven years in Brazil where he won regard for directing performances including indoor passion plays. The first performance was held at the ranch on Palm Sunday in 1981.
In addition to Lake County”s Passion Play, there are several other widely-regarded plays in the U.S. Among them are The New Great Passion Play, a 40-year-long production with an expansive 750-foot stage and 250 actors in Eureka Springs Arkansas, and the Black Hills Passion Play in Spearfish, South Dakota, with a 6000-seat amphitheater.
Jose Contreras has been involved in the Lake County Passion Play for nine years, along with his wife and daughter. It took him one viewing to decide he wanted to be in it.
“I started as a Roman soldier, then I was a temple guard. By the fourth year, the guy who played Judas moved away, and they asked me if I wanted to be Judas. He”s kind of the bad guy. I said, ?yeah, I”ll do it,” because it”s one of the parts that made me feel the most emotion watching it.”
Contreras rehearsed and will perform three parts for the first time this year ? Judas, a musician, and a man on one of the crosses. He said it takes performers and the audience back to that moment, more than 2,000 years ago.
“At the last rehearsal, I was on the cross, looking over and talking to Jesus, and I felt so much emotion in my heart ? I cried. I do it for the love of Jesus,” Contreras said.
The Lake County Passion Play is May 17 ? 18 at 4:00 p.m. at 7010 Westlake Road, Upper Lake. The play lasts about two hours.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com
