GAIL WHITE 'Easter 2001': feeling faith in Ferrari form

For years, I have heard of the wonderful musical dramas that Emmanuel Ministries in Austintown presents every Christmas and Easter. This year, I decided to experience one.
Ron Craig, pastor at Emmanuel, and his wife, Debbie, are the masterminds behind the performances. "We believe that drama is a powerful and effective way of relating our faith," Ron explained. "We use drama every Sunday."
He refers to Emmanuel as "the un-church," yet he is quick to add, "Our faith is very traditional."
Modern modification: "We take the word of God, pull it out of the horse and buggy and put it in a Ferrari," Ron explained.
After watching this year's performance, "Easter 2001," I have to agree with him.
From the opening number with all 75 cast members dancing and waving palm branches, to the hair-raising encounter between Jesus and Satan at the end, it is a spellbinding performance.
"All of our cast members are members of our church. We do not bring in performers and we do not pay them," Ron said.
I nodded my head showing that I understood what he was saying, all the while wondering why he felt compelled to tell me this. When the show began, I understood. This church is oozing with talent.
Elbert's Pringle's solo in the song "He Will Go Up" rocks. There are no other words to describe it. He simply rocks the house.
Bold voice: Debbie, music director of the show, has a voice as strong, crisp and bold as any I have ever heard. She hits every note in "He Forgives and Forgets" with seemingly effortless fullness.
Toni Johntony has a quiet, pure tone. She sings "The Word is Mercy" with angelic timbre.
I am told that Ron can sing with the best of them and often does Sunday mornings. He never performs in the Easter and Christmas shows. He is too busy directing.
The dancing in the show keeps the foot tapping and the hands clapping. Where most directors might have placed the 75 chorus members off to the side or on risers, Ron has enveloped them in the performance.
In turn, they envelop the audience. Their dances are simple yet effective motions that reach out to the viewers as only 75 arms times 2 can.
Disciple line: My favorite, however, is the Rockette-ish chorus line of a group of disciples. Although their legs may not reach the height of the Rockettes', they're not bad for a bunch of former "fishermen."
I was struck by the number of children in the show. Little girls, such as 4-year-old twins Jacalyn and Jordyn Patterson, hold hands and dance in a circle, all the while singing every word.
Singer and dancer Mackenzie Bendel, 5, says she likes the spotlight best.
It looks like Ron Craig and the performances at Emmanuel Ministries will be oozing with talent for years to come.
The acting is just as incredible. Linda Monroe plays the Samaritan woman at the well. She had me in tears as she realizes that she is forgiven.
The children: Jesus has been portrayed by Gerald Piatt in Emmanuel's Easter shows for nearly a decade. After the show, I found him surrounded by children, talking with each one.
Some were congratulating him on his performance. Others, I suspect, were looking for holes in his hands and bloodstains on his back.
Truly, the scene of Jesus carrying the cross, being beaten by the soldiers and hung on the cross is difficult to bear. The depiction seems incredibly realistic.
"It is a Steven Spielberg age," Ron explained. "Those are our competitors," he said, referring to television and the movies. His drama team holds up to the best and has won three awards for its performances.
Indeed, you won't find a horse and buggy in this church; it is for red-hot Ferrari cruisers.
XFinal performances for "Easter 2001" will be at 7:30 tonight, Saturday and Sunday at Emmanuel Ministries. Admission is free.