The producers of Matilda the Musical, La Cage aux Folles, and Sundance hits Mother of George and Blue Caprice are proud to present EASTER MYSTERIES, a modern reimagining of two medieval mystery plays that was performed at Hunter College last week and filmed for a theatrical release next March. The music, libretto and lyrics are by John O’Boyle, a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, and the motion picture is directed by Danny Goldstein (Godspell, Tamar of The River) with Musical Arrangements and Music Direction by Milton Granger (Mary Poppins).
EASTER MYSTERIES reinterprets iconic figures in human terms – ordinary people with hopes, dreams and fears, uncertain of what lies ahead. Using the universal themes of death and Resurrection and love vs. betrayal, the passion play moves through Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, the Last Supper, his arrest, Peter’s struggle with faith, and Jesus’ death, followed by the sightings of Jesus after his burial, Peter’s reconciliation of faith, and Jesus’ reappearance and Ascension. All begin a journey with certain expectations, only to find something very different from what they anticipated.
“Entering into the mystery of the Passion is something millions of people try to do every Easter season,” explained O’Boyle. “Participating in that mystery with a fresh and compelling angle of vision—and in a cinematic setting—seems a worthy goal.”
The array of leading lights that make up the cast includes Wallace Smith (Les Miserables, Rocky, Godspell) as Jesus, Tony Award nominee Phillip Boykin (Porgy and Bess, On the Town) as Caiaphas, Erin Davie (Side Show, Grey Gardens, Drood) as Mary, Kevin Early (A Tale of Two Cities, Thoroughly Modern Millie) as Peter, and Stephen Lee Anderson (Spiderman, Wicked, Fiddler on the Roof) as Herod. Aside from the classic biblical story, the show emphasizes faith in one’s own abilities and the power to overcome personal struggles.
O’Boyle’s fellow producer, three-time Tony Award winner Ron Simons of New York-based SimonSays Entertainment (Gin Game, A Gentleman's Guide, Porgy and Bess), called the Hunter College performance and filming “a tribute to the power in believing in something bigger than oneself.”
“The music is the wondrous connective tissue that brings this production to a remarkable level,” added director Goldstein. “Easter Mysteries is a great combination of humor, humanity and heartwarming family entertainment that offers modern day appeal to the greatest story ever told.”
The filmed presentation of the rousing oratorio will take place in 22 cities across the U.S. in March of 2016. For more information visit online at www.facebook.com/EasterMysteriesFilm.
