Christian musical brings Sermon on the Mount to Mount Prospect

A Christian-themed musical - revised for its 30th anniversary with a new script and updated music - will make its only appearance in the Northwest suburbs on Friday, Oct. 9, in Mount Prospect.

"Mountain," based on the Sermon on the Mount and about a star football player whose injury forces him out of the game and into a life of faith, will be presented free of charge, with donations requested, at Trinity United Methodist Church.

It's part of a 25-city tour of the Midwest in preparation for an off-Broadway run in New York.

"Mountain" was written and now revised by Jonathan Richard Cring, an award-winning screen writer, and is directed by his son, filmmaker Jon Russell Cring, who also acts in the play. Another son, Jasson Cring, stars in the musical and will be seen in the TV shows "Mad Men" and "Cold Case" and in the film "Iron Man 2."

A documentary about the production is also in the works, and a crew will be at the church Friday to interview some audience members about their reaction.

Communities who've hosted the production have supported it both through donations taken after the play and also by local families providing lodging for the cast members, who hail from across the country.