Andrews to host 25 performances

Herald-Palladium Saturday, March 13, 2004 by Debra Haight Correspondent

Twenty-five performances of the second annual Andrews University Passion Play are scheduled for April 10-11 on the Andrews campus.  Publicity director Katie Shaw reported that tickets for the free event are available at a number of area locations, including four in Berrien Springs, one in Niles and one in St. Joseph. There will be nine performances April 10 starting at 2:45, 3:30, 4, 4:30, 5, 5:30, 6, 6:30, and 7 p.m. The 16 Sunday performances will run every half hour beginning at 10:30 a.m. through 6 p.m. The passion play itself lasts for about 90 minutes.  The Berrien Springs ticket locations are the ABC Christian Book Center, Andrews University Bookstore, Apple Valley Market and the Howard Performing Arts Center. In Niles, tickets can be obtained at the Color Me Christian bookstore, and the St. Joseph ticket location is Banner Books.

Those attending the passion play will first go to Pioneer Memorial Church, where a slide program depicting current events will be shown, followed by scenes of Christ healing the sick. Attendees will then go outdoors for several scenes such as the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the marketplace, the capture of Barrabas, the Lord's Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas' hanging himself, the audience before Pilate, the scourging and the crucifixion. The passion play ends at the Johnson gymnasium, where the resurrection scene is staged.

The entire walking tour of the passion play will cover about a half-mile on the Andrews campus, with shuttle buses provided to take people back to their cars. People are urged to wear comfortable shoes and to bring an umbrella in case of rain. The performances will be canceled only if there's lightning. Wheelchairs and golf carts will provide accessibility for the physically challenged, and Spanish translators will be on hand.