LAKEPORT ? Sunlight, soundtrack, action. The Lake County Passion Play is set to bring the final days of Jesus” life to thousands of spectators May 16 and 17, during two 4 p.m. performances.
The action takes place on a hillside at the former Beltramo Ranch between North Lakeport and Upper Lake, now the Lake County Passion Play grounds. The re-enactment includes Jesus” announcement of his own death to his apostles at the Last Supper, his impassioned prayer in the Garden at Gethsemane, his persecution and death, followed by his resurrection and ascension to heaven.
“People really shed tears. They get quiet, because it gets inside them and goes to their hearts. I have never seen people so moved and touched as at the Passion Play,” the Rev. Philip Ryan said.
Ryan and the Rev. Paul Moran brought the concept to Lake County and organized the first production on Palm Sunday in 1981. Moran”s original soundtrack plays while approximately 150 performers play out the action wearing bright costumes to stand out against the spring-green hillside on which they perform.
The Rev. John Boettcher plays Jesus this year, as he has eight times since he became involved with the production in 1990. Boettcher said he brought more punishment on himself in the name of realism. His scourging doesn”t just look painful after a redesign of the costume whips the Roman soldiers use.
“When the whips hit me, it”s like getting punched,” Boettcher said.
He said the original whips had red yarn attached and he couldn”t feel them through his tunic. Now, Boettcher stands shirtless and lets the knotted tendrils of the whips direct his movements. He said the first time the whips hit him was during rehearsal, and the show had to go on for continuity”s sake.
“In that moment it helped me realize, this is like what Jesus went through. He couldn”t say ?stop, I”m hurt.” It was way different than faking it,” Boettcher said.
In addition, Jesus makes a 615-foot trek up the hillside to Golgotha carrying a 100-pound, solid wood cross to make it easier for the audience to believe he really needs help when he falls three times on the way.
Jose Contreras plays Judas, the apostle who betrays Jesus to his persecutors. Like many of his fellow actors, Contreras plays a dual role, also appearing at Jesus” resurrection among the family ? his real family ? who greets Jesus.
Animals that include a flock of sheep, a goat, a donkey and four horses star alongside veteran actors and newcomers.
Peggy Woodson plays Mary, Jeusus” mother. Her husband, Gary Woodson, plays the apostle Peter, who denies Jesus the night he is brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea who orders Jesus whipped and reluctantly gives him over to the mob that wants him crucified.
“They (the Woodsons) are the only two who have never missed a play,” Ryan said.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com, or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
