Easter Passion

Lenora and I went to the Easter Passion tonight at Southeast. We volunteered to assist with those who had visual impairment. The disabilities ministry had prepared an electronic audio explanation of what was happening on stage so those with visual impairment could follow the story more easily. Lenora and I assisted a man and woman and then sat with them to help any way we could. It was disappointing because the audio assistance did not work. I felt bad for them, but there was nothing we could do. The man and woman we assisted were very gracious and showed us what a true spirit of graciousness was. They said, at least the church is trying. I agree.

The real issue I wanted to talk about was the production itself. I was very disappointed. It just doesn't work for me. It seems that the passion and the caring about what is going on has been exorcised from the production. The first half was just a series of vignettes having no connection. It was benign and lacked any cohesiveness. The second half got better because it was connected and had something that someone could care about. Somehow, in the effort to make the production more personal and intimate and less show and pageantry the heart was cut out of it. I truly was an observer and not a participant. The seen with the woman at the well was cold and flat. This wasn't necessarily a fault of the production, or it might be. Last year it was was a highlight for me. The woman who portrayed the character last year was amazing. I truly was mesmerized and invited into her world. Tonight, it was a performance and they were truly stock characters. Last year the engagement between Jesus and this woman was visually and emotionally stunning. This year, I didn't even know he was there.

Greg kept telling everyone during weekend services and also in The Outlook about the new closing number. Well, it just didn't develop. It was flat and didn't go anywhere. All the music seemed tepid and more "pop" than passion.

So, for me this "passion" was passionless. I'm not sure what they are going to do, but in my opinion, if there isn't significant rework, I fear the production will die a slow death.