Teen members of Inverness church re-enact Passion

Despite the snowy weather, parishioners of Holy Family Catholic Church in Inverness packed the pews to watch a musical re-enactment of the Jesus Christ's life by the church's youth program.

The teens sang, narrated and acted out their parts in front of about 900 people who came to the 3 p.m. play.

It was considered light for the play's usual crowd, said the Rev. Pat Brennan.

Since the church has put on the play for the last 13 years, it usually draws more than 1,100 per showing, which is the church's capacity, leaving many to watch it standing, Brennan said.

However, the bad weather probably kept some away, he said.

The church put on a 9 a.m. and a noon performance as well.

One major difference this year was the number of kids involved, since the ensemble of about 50 kids was almost double than before, Brennan said.

Barrington's Sharon Sickal said the addition of more players made the play more powerful for her.

"More kids made a huge difference," Sickal said. "It was so much more emotional."

The kids came from the church's youth program, numbering almost 500.

Michael Thorn, 16, a Barrington High School junior, played the lead of Jesus.

Wearing a white robe, Thorn enacted the life of Jesus as he raised the dead, healed the sick and was crucified.

Despite his performance, Thorn is not part of his high-school theater, preferring to do all his acting and singing for the church.

"I'm not into high-school theater. I don't know why," Thorn said. "I love doing this. I love performing for the church."

Nick Tresnowski, 17, a student at Fremd High School, who played the disciple John, said he hopes the play helps people reflect on the meaning of Easter.

"It's a good for people see it in action," Tresnowski said. "Just reading about it is not the same."