AUSTINTOWN -- Visitors and church members attending performances of "The Promise" at Highway

AUSTINTOWN -- Visitors and church members attending performances of "The Promise" at Highway Tabernacle this Easter season have found themselves transported back in time to experience or learn about the life of Jesus.
"Come back with me 2,000 years to hear the greatest story ever told, a story that changed history and the world," the Rev. Jonathan Moore, senior pastor at the church, invited the audience as the musical play was set to unfold Palm Sunday at its initial presentation this season.
In addition to Palm Sunday, the passion play was presented at an evening and afternoon performance Good Friday. Other performances are scheduled for today and Easter Sunday at 7 p.m. in the church on 3000 S. Raccoon Road at Kirk Road.
The annual play, in its fifth season, is offered free. But, an offering is collected to offset its cost, estimated at $12,000 this year.
After seeing the two-hour play for the first time, Carol Chepke of Lake Milton said: "It was amazing. I can't believe the parish does this. It presents a whole message."
"It was a beautiful, very powerful performance," said Jim Hall of Jackson Township, reflecting on the Palm Sunday performance. "It got to me."
Declaring the play "fantastic," John Pantalone of Austintown said he would see two other performances of it at the church this weekend.
The depiction
As the epic drama unfolds, about 110 parishioners dressed in period costumes, ranging from children to senior citizens, converge on the stage. They sing songs in accord with the story while a soundtrack plays. Farm and other animals, including a camel, a donkey,a baby goat, a ram, chickens and a 5-foot-long snake appear on stage in various scenes.
The props also include a sailboat for the scene in which Jesus offers to make his disciples "fishers of men."
The play encapsulates the key moments in the life of Jesus, including the prophecy by Isaiah of his coming, birth in Bethlehem, baptism by John the Baptist, temptation by the devil, teaching of the beatitudes, miracles such as raising Lazarus from the dead, saving an adulteress from being stoned, last supper, betrayal by Judas, Crucifixion and Resurrection.
To draw the audience from the present day into the production and its story of the past, a contemporary woman explains what is happening for her young son and his girlfriend.
The audience at one point hears God speak: "This is my Son with whom I am well pleased."
The many songs, such as "I See the Kingdom Coming," "He is Jehovah" and "Let Him be Crucified," ultimately bring the audience to the trial at Herod's court and the Crucifixion.
In the Crucifixion scene, the man playing Jesus is actually on a cross, accompanied by two other men on crosses. The scene is so compelling it draws groans from the audience. But, when members of the audience see Jesus resurrected, they greet him with applause. More applause follows when Jesus uses keys to liberate two children from the gates of hell.
"It's more than a nice story about a good teacher and prophet," the Rev. Mr. Moore said, summing up the play. "Jesus is our savior, redeemer and friend."
While emphasizing the play's message, Mr. Moore described the production as a major outreach effort by his congregation to spread the gospel and attract new members.
"We've come from many walks of life. For some of us, our lives are on target and we are doing well. Others of us have questions and seek answers," Mr. Moore said.
Drawing from all over
While 600 people of all ages regularly attend services Sunday, more than 1,000 people filled the seats at the play's Palm Sunday presentation. About 900 people were expected at each of the play's five performances this year.
While many attending the play are from the church, others come from Mahoning and Columbiana counties, other churches in the Youngstown area and Pennsylvania.
The Rev. Gary Hallberg, director of music at the church, said he and the congregation decided to produce the musical in 2001 after experiencing it at a theater in Bronson, Mo.
David L. Humphrey, who had been involved with staging musical plays, created the script for "The Promise" by revising a draft written by a former speechwriter for Oral Roberts. Humphrey added music in collaboration with Gary Rhodes, a music producer, and began presenting the drama at the Texas Amphitheater in Glen Rose, Texas, in 1989. It was also presented in Russia at the Kremlin State Palace in 1993 and 1994.
"We use about 60 percent of the original production and add some other songs such as "The Way of the Cross" and "He Holds the Keys," Hallberg said. "We cast the play in the fall and start rehearsing in January."
Church members make up the entire cast, which includes no professional vocalists or actors, he said.
"It's a lot of fun doing the play. We look forward to it every year," said Andy Eippert of Austintown, playing disciple John in this year's production.
"More than performing perfectly, acting in the play is about the message."