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March 13, 2008 issue

 

Extravagant Grace: Portrait of Love

Mount Vernon Presents Annual Easter Drama Friday to Sunday

Story by Anna Oakes

The musical drama has become an Easter tradition at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Boone, captivating thousands of attendees each year with talented performances, powerful songs and a message of love and hope.

This year, Mount Vernon presents Extravagant Grace: Portrait of Love on Friday and Saturday, March 14 and 15, at 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday, March 16, at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m.

The church’s Easter musicals have proved to be a popular community event with full-house attendances—about 700 people fit in the sanctuary—each night, said Cyndi Ziegler, director of the drama.

“It’s packed every single time,” Ziegler said.

For the past two years, Ziegler has written the script for the Easter play.

“The title, Extravagant Grace—I just like that word,” she said. “We’re used to limited resources, but when you think about God’s forgiveness, there’s no limit to it.”

Extravagant Grace is a drama in two acts lasting about an hour and 15 minutes. Three of the musical’s eight songs include choreographed dancing.

The first act takes place in a Biblical setting. It portrays the distinct contrast between the self-serving religious elite and Jesus Christ. One man caught between the opposing systems must choose who to believe.

“I really wanted to show that Jesus was really a rebel when it came to religious leaders back then,” Ziegler said. In this act, Jeff Hatley plays Simon the Pharisee, John Campbell plays Nicodemus and Rob Smithers plays Jesus, alongside about 25 supporting actors.

Act Two brings the play’s theme to the modern day, again contrasting a group of characters—those who have made a lot of mistakes and are humbled by them, and those who make fewer mistakes but lack patience and compassion for others in difficult circumstances.

“The main character is a good little Sunday School girl, but she has had zero exposure to the real world, where other people live, and little patience for people in that world and the problems that they have. She has a hard time forgiving people,” Ziegler explained. “A lot of times, people who grew up in church don’t see the humanity of others. It really shames me that there are people in churches who act like that.”

Barry Hall and Molly Petrey star as Matt and Kate in Act Two, with about 12 supporting actors.

In addition, about 125 volunteers work behind the scenes, building props, making costumes, doing makeup, designing sets, advertising and more. Volunteers range in age from 8 to 70, Ziegler said.

“This is just so much fun to do,” she said. “We have some really talented people in this church. Each year, we wind up having more people involved who have not been involved before.”

Although the drama is free, attendees will need to acquire a ticket to attend. Tickets are available at Conrad’s Coffee locations, Higher Grounds Coffee, The Cornerstone Bookstore and at the church office. People can also call and request tickets to be held at will call.

Childcare is available for children 6 weeks to 8 years old. At the Sunday matinee performance only, sign language interpreters will be provided for the hearing impaired.

“We just asked God to help us because the reason we do this is … to make who God is more visible and more clear to people,” Ziegler said.

Mount Vernon Baptist Church is located at 3505 Bamboo Road in Boone. For more info, call 828-266-9700.

 

Extravagant Grace: Portrait of Love Ticket Info

Want to see Extravagant Grace? The production is free, but to attend, you must first obtain or reserve a ticket. Performance dates and times, ticket info and more are included below. For more info, call Mount Vernon Baptist Church at 828-266-9700.

 

Date: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 14 to 16

Time: 7:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday/4:00* and 7:00 p.m. Sunday

Location: Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Bamboo Road, Boone

Cost: Free, but ticket required

Tickets: Conrad’s Coffee shops, Higher Grounds Coffee, The Cornerstone Bookstore, Mount Vernon Baptist Church office

Children: Childcare available for children 6 weeks to 8 years old

 

*Sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired will be provided at the 4:00 p.m. Sunday matinee performance only.

 

The Last Supper Reenacted March 20

Story by Anna Oakes

Two Boone churches, First Baptist and Boone United Methodist, will present reenactments of The Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, March 20.

The last meal Jesus shared with his 12 disciples before his crucifixion is depicted in the famous painting The Last Supper by artist Leonardo da Vinci. In the reenactments, the disciples are seated around the table in the same arrangement as da Vinci’s painting. Each disciple performs a monologue, pondering if he could be the one who will betray Jesus.

Both churches will follow the dramatic presentation with a communion service.

 

The Living Lord’s Supper at First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church of Boone will present The Living Lord’s Supper on Thursday, March 20, at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free.

First Baptist has presented the program, directed by Nancy Williams, several years in the past. Williams said the drama takes place in the sanctuary and lasts about an hour.

Each of the disciples is seated at the table with Jesus in the same position as da Vinci’s painting. The drama begins after Jesus has told the disciples that one of them will betray him. One by one, each of the disciples delivers a monologue as the others remain “frozen” as if in da Vinci’s painting.

“Each one has his reflections on their walk with Jesus Christ as disciples,” said Pastor Wayne Brown.

The cast members who portray the 12 disciples include First Baptist members and college students who attend the church. Jesus, who does not speak in the presentation, is played by a student.

“The thing that I appreciate so much about the presentation is I feel like it is quite realistic from the perspective of the disciples,” Williams said. “I think we all ask ourselves that question—if we are Christians, we all betray Jesus at some time or another.”

After the monologues, the disciples will serve communion to the audience. The service also includes special music.

“It’s quite a joint effort,” said Williams. “I don’t do it by myself by any means.”

First Baptist will also hold a Good Friday program featuring music by the Chancel Choir and a Tenebrae service on Friday, March 21, at 7:00 p.m.

The church is located at 375 West King Street in downtown Boone. For more info, call 828-264-2441.

 

Want To Go?

Date: Thursday, March 20
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: First Baptist Church, Boone
Cost: Free

 

The Last Supper at Boone United Methodist

For the 16th year, Boone United Methodist Church presents The Last Supper at 7:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

“This short but powerful service has become a communitywide tradition,” said Diana Haas, who has directed the play every year at Boone United Methodist. Over the years, 48 men, ranging from youths to elders, have portrayed the various parts. John Marshbanks and Paul Haas have played Nathaniel and Judas, respectively, for all 16 years.

“All have expressed that something profound happens to them during this service,” Haas said.

One year, Frank Aycock flew 13 hours from Poland and arrived just in time to perform his part in the dramatization, she said. “He had practiced on the plane coming across the ocean for the Polish people, who hadn’t understood a word he said!” she added. Another year, cast member Chris Laine performed his monologue “beautifully” just after having surgery.

“People come every year to watch; they say they see something different each time. They understand something about Jesus or one of his disciples for the first time. They come to watch and they become involved,” Haas said.

Communion will follow the performance. The entire service lasts about an hour.

Boone United Methodist is located at 471 New Market Boulevard in Boone. For more info, call 828-264-6090.

 

Want To Go?

Date: Thursday, March 20
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Boone United Methodist Church, Boone
Cost: Free