The Great Passion Play, “America’s #1 Attended Outdoor Drama,” opens on Friday and Saturday, May 4 and 5, to start its 50th year in performance.
"Our 50th year anniversary looks to be very exciting,” shared Randall Christy, Executive Director of The Great Passion Play. “The Play runs May through October, but the Christ of the Ozarks, Bible Museum and gift shop are open year-round. We also have Holy Land Tours by advanced reservation every day but Sunday at 10:00am and 2:00pm.” Christy continued, “Last year, the New York Times named the Christ of the Ozarks the 4th most popular statue in the USA only behind the Lincoln Memorial, followed by Mt. Rushmore, and the Statue of Liberty; and we hope to welcome several hundreds of thousands more visitors this year.”
“We have been very busy this year in preparation for our 50th year anniversary,” said Kent Butler, an actor and marketing director for the production. “We have worked with mission groups like Team Effort, the World Mission Team, and Youth with a Mission, and in 2017 we started hosting our own mission trips with groups coming from
Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Tennessee, Kansas, Texas, Illinois and Mississippi. This year, we will welcome even more groups to make the 50th year anniversary very special."
Featuring a cast of over 150 actors and actresses, the Play is performed amid a 550ft historically accurate stage and brings to life the thrilling epic drama surrounding Christ’s last days on earth, including his death, resurrection and ascension. The Great Passion Play runs 1 hour and 45 minutes, featuring an original musical score composed by Phil Perkins and performed by the world-renowned National Philharmonic Orchestra of London. This year’s performance also features horses, donkeys, camels, a Pharaoh Hound, and dozens of birds.
While on the grounds, walk through Jerusalem’s Eastern Gate, experience a Biblical Marketplace, and journey through recreations of the Holy Land including the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. See the Sacred Arts Museum with hundreds of pieces of rare works in 64 different forms, the Bible Museum with 6,000 Bibles (including an original 1611 King James Version of the Bible) and artifacts dating back to 2,000 B.C., and the History Museum which provides a biblical perspective of history. Experience the popular free performances of David the Shepherd and the Parables of the Potter. Eat the buffet dinner that is served on nights the Play is performed. New attractions on the Passion Play grounds include the Noah’s Ark Park Petting Zoo at the beginning of the Holy Land area, a special showing of the musical movie “God with Us: New Testament” in the Jerusalem Chapel, and a bomb shelter similar to ones used in Israel today. Christy said, “The cinematic footage within the musical God with Us was filmed onsite here in Eureka Springs, then they filmed the stage performance. It’s a very neat storytelling concept.”
The Great Passion Play’s 2018 50th year anniversary season will run from the first weekend of May through the last weekend of October. For reservations, performance schedules, volunteer opportunities, or special event information, go to GreatPassionPlay.org or call toll free 800-882-7529. Join the 7.8 million who have seen “The Greatest Story Ever Told” at The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
"Our 50th year anniversary looks to be very exciting,” shared Randall Christy, Executive Director of The Great Passion Play. “The Play runs May through October, but the Christ of the Ozarks, Bible Museum and gift shop are open year-round. We also have Holy Land Tours by advanced reservation every day but Sunday at 10:00am and 2:00pm.” Christy continued, “Last year, the New York Times named the Christ of the Ozarks the 4th most popular statue in the USA only behind the Lincoln Memorial, followed by Mt. Rushmore, and the Statue of Liberty; and we hope to welcome several hundreds of thousands more visitors this year.”
“We have been very busy this year in preparation for our 50th year anniversary,” said Kent Butler, an actor and marketing director for the production. “We have worked with mission groups like Team Effort, the World Mission Team, and Youth with a Mission, and in 2017 we started hosting our own mission trips with groups coming from
Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Tennessee, Kansas, Texas, Illinois and Mississippi. This year, we will welcome even more groups to make the 50th year anniversary very special."
Featuring a cast of over 150 actors and actresses, the Play is performed amid a 550ft historically accurate stage and brings to life the thrilling epic drama surrounding Christ’s last days on earth, including his death, resurrection and ascension. The Great Passion Play runs 1 hour and 45 minutes, featuring an original musical score composed by Phil Perkins and performed by the world-renowned National Philharmonic Orchestra of London. This year’s performance also features horses, donkeys, camels, a Pharaoh Hound, and dozens of birds.
While on the grounds, walk through Jerusalem’s Eastern Gate, experience a Biblical Marketplace, and journey through recreations of the Holy Land including the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. See the Sacred Arts Museum with hundreds of pieces of rare works in 64 different forms, the Bible Museum with 6,000 Bibles (including an original 1611 King James Version of the Bible) and artifacts dating back to 2,000 B.C., and the History Museum which provides a biblical perspective of history. Experience the popular free performances of David the Shepherd and the Parables of the Potter. Eat the buffet dinner that is served on nights the Play is performed. New attractions on the Passion Play grounds include the Noah’s Ark Park Petting Zoo at the beginning of the Holy Land area, a special showing of the musical movie “God with Us: New Testament” in the Jerusalem Chapel, and a bomb shelter similar to ones used in Israel today. Christy said, “The cinematic footage within the musical God with Us was filmed onsite here in Eureka Springs, then they filmed the stage performance. It’s a very neat storytelling concept.”
The Great Passion Play’s 2018 50th year anniversary season will run from the first weekend of May through the last weekend of October. For reservations, performance schedules, volunteer opportunities, or special event information, go to GreatPassionPlay.org or call toll free 800-882-7529. Join the 7.8 million who have seen “The Greatest Story Ever Told” at The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
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