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It’s been a Passion for some of them for 20 years.
For others, it’s a new experience. But for those involved in the annual Living Last Supper at Bethel AME Church — scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday — there is no question why they continue.
The performance, a mix of original narrative and the Biblical story of Jesus Christ’s last supper with his 12 disciples, his subsequent betrayal by Judas and his crucifixion, started simply enough, according to Darlene Nichols, the show’s director for 20 years. She was handed a stack of 13 different scripts from Palmeda Robinson, a member of Bethel and still the Living Last Supper’s production manager.
“It was a dialogue for the narrator and for the 12 disciples,” Nichols said.
With each passing year since that time, Nichols said the show, performed during Easter week on what is known as Good Friday, has changed and grown. It now features music and a slightly rearragned script, with different disciple testimonies.
Nichols said the actors filling all those parts represent a number of different ages, religious denominations and walks of life. Some have been participating all 20 years, others are brand new.
The show, she said, has its basis in the Biblical story — including much of the impassioned testimonies and background from the disciples.
However, Nichols said she also included other creative details, things like a short dialogue between two women setting the table for the supper.
“I love history and some of it is from things that I read in history books,” she said. “I’ve watched some movies and I just put them together.”
Aside from the script, she said there are a number of other measures that help bring the story to life — a dark curtain draped in front of the altar at Bethel, colorful robes and costumes courtesy costume designer Paula Taylor, strobe lights, fog machines and a full choir.
Wilbur Ferguson has portrayed Jesus in the Living Last Supper for nearly all 20 years, though he admitted he wouldn’t normally consider himself an actor. In fact, Ferguson said his involvement all those years ago started because of a military major and his family stationed at Fort Leavenworth at the time.
“His wife is very spiritual and she walked up to me one day and said ‘We’re going to have a play, the Living Last Supper, and you’re going to be Jesus,’” he said. “She was such a dedicated, spiritual lady that I couldn’t say no.”
It’s been a Passion for some of them for 20 years.
For others, it’s a new experience. But for those involved in the annual Living Last Supper at Bethel AME Church — scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday — there is no question why they continue.
The performance, a mix of original narrative and the Biblical story of Jesus Christ’s last supper with his 12 disciples, his subsequent betrayal by Judas and his crucifixion, started simply enough, according to Darlene Nichols, the show’s director for 20 years. She was handed a stack of 13 different scripts from Palmeda Robinson, a member of Bethel and still the Living Last Supper’s production manager.
“It was a dialogue for the narrator and for the 12 disciples,” Nichols said.
With each passing year since that time, Nichols said the show, performed during Easter week on what is known as Good Friday, has changed and grown. It now features music and a slightly rearragned script, with different disciple testimonies.
Nichols said the actors filling all those parts represent a number of different ages, religious denominations and walks of life. Some have been participating all 20 years, others are brand new.
The show, she said, has its basis in the Biblical story — including much of the impassioned testimonies and background from the disciples.
However, Nichols said she also included other creative details, things like a short dialogue between two women setting the table for the supper.
“I love history and some of it is from things that I read in history books,” she said. “I’ve watched some movies and I just put them together.”
Aside from the script, she said there are a number of other measures that help bring the story to life — a dark curtain draped in front of the altar at Bethel, colorful robes and costumes courtesy costume designer Paula Taylor, strobe lights, fog machines and a full choir.
Wilbur Ferguson has portrayed Jesus in the Living Last Supper for nearly all 20 years, though he admitted he wouldn’t normally consider himself an actor. In fact, Ferguson said his involvement all those years ago started because of a military major and his family stationed at Fort Leavenworth at the time.
“His wife is very spiritual and she walked up to me one day and said ‘We’re going to have a play, the Living Last Supper, and you’re going to be Jesus,’” he said. “She was such a dedicated, spiritual lady that I couldn’t say no.”
And he almost never has since, not taking his role only a couple of times over the last 20 years. What keeps him coming back, Ferguson said, is the message that the Living Last Supper presents.
The Rev. Ralph Taylor had a similar feeling. A minister at Pentecostal Church of Apostolic Faith by occupation, he said he too was asked to participate in the Living Last Supper years ago. He portrayed Judas Iscariot for three years before taking a five-year break, coming “out of retirement,” he said, this year to reprise his role.
“I enjoy it,” Taylor said.
He said that though the actors may occasionally crack a smile during rehearsals, on the night of the performance everyone — veteran and otherwise — is focused.
“That’s the big show,” Taylor said. “That’s when all seriousness is brought forth, we try to send a message that helps people.”
Nichols said that’s the thing she hopes will continue even as she passes her director duties to someone and takes her last curtain call as a director.
“My overall aim?” she said. “To send a message that is understandable.”
