Passion plays are difficult things to do well.
A recent example: Mel Gibsons filmThe Passion of the Christ.
But they have also been presented in ways that excite and promulgate anti-Semitism, intentionally or otherwise.
Credit: Michael Becker / FOX
(Many people thoughtThe Passion of The Christwas a deeply felt example of that, too.)
A broadcast web connection aligned with a politically conservative worldview staging Christian propaganda at the start of Holy Week?
But Perry asked us to identify with their gutting and grief and ongoing recovery.
The Passionwas also noisy with elements rather novel to the form.
Pop songs were used to express the internal lives of the characters, making this theMoulin Rougeof passion plays.
It was a risky move.
Christians might have been alienated by the use of secular music.
(Im a Christian; I wasnt.)
It was one of the evenings few attempts at humor.
Almost every choice was designed to remind us thatThe Passionwas more theatrical ritual than history lesson.
The actors in the filmed scenes wore headset wireless microphones even though they werent necessary.
Perhaps the show was trying to sell the illusion of live theater.
Were supposed to be worshipping Jesus here, not the pop idols.
Or I could be overthinking things.
The cast suggested more about their characters when they had lyrics to sings.
When they didnt, Jesus and the disciples had less depth thanJem and the Holograms.
The acting wasnt acting, just poses of earnestly generated emotion.
Canela and Royce were often a pucker away from being Blue Steel Zoolander pouts.
), but he worked hard to avoid preachiness.
The iconography wasnt ancient Middle Eastern but all contemporary American.
He added that he could relate to Pilate and his shameful blame shifting.
The audience voted for Barabbas.
