Religious play is a production for the senses
Community Presbyterian Church's thespians aim to surround the audience this weekend with the entire Gospel of John in their newest production, "Thunder in the Desert."
In the performance to be staged Friday through Sunday, the Scripture will be illustrated in artwork by children in the church entryway and in numerous selections of classical and contemporary sacred art projected on the sanctuary walls.
Some writings of John also will be displayed as text on banners and panels hanging on the walls.
Together, they will provide a backdrop for other writings that will be performed by six church members of Open Heart Drama, who will be accompanied musically by an original percussion score. Some members of the group were part of the church's Easter musical, "Living Waters."
"It's a great way to experience God's word. You can see it. You can hear it. You can experience it through word, art and through people," said actor/director Afarin Morgan of Winfield, whose husband, Eric, also performs. "It's a complete experience."
Adds actor David Zimmerman of Lombard, "It's really an immersion into the text. It really will be an experience, more than sitting in a pew just watching a performance."
The roughly 75-minute production will chronicle the life of Christ and his relationships with his followers as told by John in Eugene Peterson's "The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language."
It features familiar stories approached in varied ways and with multiple contexts, such as when Christ calls his disciples he does it like he's rounding up players of a sports team.
"We're not trying to denigrate. We're trying to bring out some humor," Morgan said.
The group is aiming to help the audience more easily relate to the ancient biblical text and to encourage people to think of the words in a different way.
"That turn of phrase makes all the difference. It's going to wow a lot of people," said performer Dani Sauve of Westchester.
It is not an elaborate musical production, Morgan said. It's more of an artsy -- and even avant-garde -- religious service.
"The experience is more of taking in the text," Morgan said. "It's very engaging. It keeps you thinking."
Each cast member portrays multiple people. Everyone plays Jesus and everyone plays Peter. One person portrays John. And performers, who also include Mike Casey of Lombard and Mark Nelsen of Glendale Heights, at times talk to and sit with the audience. The audience even participates when Jesus is rounded up to be crucified.
"It's very different. It moves pretty quickly and it's interesting visually," Morgan said. "It's one of those things you have to see before you really get it."
Performers hope audience members walk away thinking differently about some well-known Bible stories, such as Christ's encounters with Mary Magdalene and the fishermen after his resurrection, as well as the miracles of the water being turned to wine at a wedding and the raising of Lazarus.
"My hope is they'll take home one thing, one new thing … then I think we've accomplished something," Nelsen said.
"I think they'll want to come again. It's like a really good movie. You want to see it again and you get more out of it the second time."
"Thunder in the Desert," which is open to the public, will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as 3 p.m. Saturday, in the church, 1111 E. Madison St., Lombard. Admission and parking are free. A reception follows each performance.
Child care is available for free if reserved through the office. For directions or to make group reservations, call (630) 627-0306.
If you go
What: "Thunder in the Desert: The Gospel of John"
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Community Presbyterian Church, 1111 E. Madison St., Lombard
Cost: Free
Details: (630) 627-0306