Film Version of the Graveyard Scene
AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION
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PROBLEM: Jeni (22) and Kyndi (20) are now adults. They are still able to play convincing rolls as teenagers in Act One of Beyond the Passion, the Graveyard Scene. However, they will soon outgrow these parts. For a number of years we have anticipated this delema, and we have been faced with one of three alternatives.
One: We could simply drop Act One, and perform Acts Two and Three as a shorter drama. Act Two is a first century Catacomb Scene, which is a colorful setup for Act Three, which presents a powerful case for the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave and the hope of eternal life. A serious message, with a surprise ending. Act One is a contemporary comedy that takes place in a graveyard. It deals in a humorous way with natural human apprehensions regarding death and the grave. Dropping Act One would leave a big hole in the production, and would eliminate the Epilogue, which offers a very satisfy wrap-up to the play, helping viewers connection personally with the message of the play.
Two: We could train other actors to play the parts of Crissy and Joy. However, this would present a huge challenge, recruiting and training enough actors and understudies, to assure a full cast of characters before booking any venues. With other DDM productions, we are able to rehearse local talent on a Saturday, and have them ready for performance the next day. Beyond the Passion is too elaborate for such a brief rehearsal.
Three: We have considered the possibility of dropping Beyond the Passion from our repertoire. Doing so would be tragic! This drama is one of our most powerful evangelistic productions. Attenders have often told us that they entered the auditorium as non-believers, and were leaving convinced that Jesus is alive! From its debut in Astoria, Oregon in March of 1999 to the present, people have come to receive Christ at nearly every performance. At a small church in Grass Valley, Calif., 14 people responded to the gospel appeal, including a couple in their eighties. Several years ago, in Kelso, Wash., 18 people responded to the salvation invitation, some standing in the balcony, waving their arms above their heads to be included in the closing prayer.
SOLUTION: Film a live performance of Act One, the Graveyard Scene, before a warm, responsive audience. Edit the footage into a wide-screen movie that could be used at live performances of Beyond the Passion, which would then be followed by a live performance of Acts Two and Three. In the Epilogue, Beth appears returns to visit her father's grave