BOONVILLE — After a hiatus of 12 years in its performances of The Passion during Holy Week, the theater group of the Divine Redeemer Parish in Boonville will return this year with a presentation of “The Passion of Christ” at the parish on Good Friday, April 7.
Sergio Lopez, director and producer, as well as Hispanic Ministry vicariate coordinator in Winston-Salem, told the Catholic News Herald that rehearsals have begun, with script readings and initial stage blocking. López noted that last year, Father Jean Pierre Swamunu Lhoposo, invited members of the theater group of St. James the Greater Parish of Concord to present “The Passion” during Holy Week.
“This group, associated with some members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Charlotte, brought us a mega-production,” Lopez said.
This year, Father Lhoposo asked parishioners to carry out their own production once again, offering them his full cooperation.
The play involves more than 20 actors in 11 scenes, from the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to His crucifixion and the lowering of His Body from the cross on Good Friday.
Among the production’s members is Alberto Vargas, a 22-year-old Mexican who works in construction and will play the role of Jesus. “I don’t know why they chose me,” Vargas said. “I have no experience, but the director told me that my slow speech and physical appearance help me. I am already rehearsing in my house as well, and I believe that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will be able to play a worthy role.”
— César Hurtado