Tuesday, March 27, 2007
St. James Church Presents Annual Passion Play Beginning Saturday
Members of the St. James Roman Catholic Church rehearse for their annual passion play, which opens Saturday. Fran Galbato and Roseanne Himes play the two holy women at left, Joseph of Arimathea, center, is played by Father Bob, Peter is played by Dick Sena and Thomas is played by Nick Schepi.
The annual ‘‘passion play,’’ started up again five years ago after stopping in 1973, usually features a variety of cast members. In an era where so many people are busy running from one place to the next, St. James has given members of its church a chance to slow down. The passion play is a chance to find out what the Lenten season all about.
‘‘Everyone is so busy, but we know this is important,’’ said Kathy Benson, who is the musical director for the play. ‘‘This is what Easter is all about.’’
This year, the cast is mostly made up by the Liuzzo family. From Vincent Liuzzo, a senior at Jamestown High School playing Jesus for the second time, to Andrew Liuzzo playing John the Baptist — the entire family is playing a part.
‘‘We’ve always been a part of the passion play,’’ said Josephine Liuzzo, who plays a holy woman. ‘‘Our whole family has always been involved in Catholic school and the church.’’
When Vincent Liuzzo, Andrew’s son, asked his father how he was supposed to play Jesus, Andrew told him not to act, just think of who he was. Andrew also explained to Vincent how the liturgy is portrayed and to play Jesus how he thinks Jesus would would be during certain key moments of the play. During some parts of the play, Jesus is supposed to be soft-spoken and in other parts he is angry.
‘‘It’s not about acting,’’ Liuzzo said. ‘‘Of course we are up there playing a part, but we’re not acting.’’
Liuzzo, thinks that it is a great thing that his family is involved with the passion play, especially his children. He believes that he is very blessed to have such a large family and get the younger people involved. Mrs. Liuzzo, also thinks it’s good that the younger people are getting involved.
‘‘They want to be there,’’ Mrs. Liuzzo said, who has been a member of St. James for 55 years. ‘‘No one pushes them to be there.’’
Liuzzo says that he looks at the passion play as an interpretation of the liturgy and that is how he and his family see the gospel in their minds and hearts.
‘‘We try not to do it for entertainment value,’’ said Father Robert Stolinski, parish priest. ‘‘This is a living prayer. It’s a gift from the parish to the community.’’
Another holy woman, played by Gran Galbato, believes that this play helps the younger members of the church understand not only what the mass is about, but what life is about.
‘‘The message is presented in many different ways,’’ Mrs. Galbato said. ‘‘It teaches on many different levels.’’
While the atmosphere for rehearsals can be a kidding one, once the costumes are on, Father Bob says that there is more of an err of professionalism.
‘‘You become the part and it’s like reliving the event,’’ Father Bob said. ‘‘It becomes a spiritual event, not just a production.’’
According to director Tom Franco, the passion play will only be performed every other year. Next year, the family worship theater is hoping to perform the ‘‘Living Last Supper’’ cantata which has some acting but is mostly music. The passion play this year grew to more than 60 participants.
The annual ‘‘passion play,’’ started up again five years ago after stopping in 1973, usually features a variety of cast members. In an era where so many people are busy running from one place to the next, St. James has given members of its church a chance to slow down. The passion play is a chance to find out what the Lenten season all about.
‘‘Everyone is so busy, but we know this is important,’’ said Kathy Benson, who is the musical director for the play. ‘‘This is what Easter is all about.’’
This year, the cast is mostly made up by the Liuzzo family. From Vincent Liuzzo, a senior at Jamestown High School playing Jesus for the second time, to Andrew Liuzzo playing John the Baptist — the entire family is playing a part.
‘‘We’ve always been a part of the passion play,’’ said Josephine Liuzzo, who plays a holy woman. ‘‘Our whole family has always been involved in Catholic school and the church.’’
When Vincent Liuzzo, Andrew’s son, asked his father how he was supposed to play Jesus, Andrew told him not to act, just think of who he was. Andrew also explained to Vincent how the liturgy is portrayed and to play Jesus how he thinks Jesus would would be during certain key moments of the play. During some parts of the play, Jesus is supposed to be soft-spoken and in other parts he is angry.
‘‘It’s not about acting,’’ Liuzzo said. ‘‘Of course we are up there playing a part, but we’re not acting.’’
Liuzzo, thinks that it is a great thing that his family is involved with the passion play, especially his children. He believes that he is very blessed to have such a large family and get the younger people involved. Mrs. Liuzzo, also thinks it’s good that the younger people are getting involved.
‘‘They want to be there,’’ Mrs. Liuzzo said, who has been a member of St. James for 55 years. ‘‘No one pushes them to be there.’’
Liuzzo says that he looks at the passion play as an interpretation of the liturgy and that is how he and his family see the gospel in their minds and hearts.
‘‘We try not to do it for entertainment value,’’ said Father Robert Stolinski, parish priest. ‘‘This is a living prayer. It’s a gift from the parish to the community.’’
Another holy woman, played by Gran Galbato, believes that this play helps the younger members of the church understand not only what the mass is about, but what life is about.
‘‘The message is presented in many different ways,’’ Mrs. Galbato said. ‘‘It teaches on many different levels.’’
While the atmosphere for rehearsals can be a kidding one, once the costumes are on, Father Bob says that there is more of an err of professionalism.
‘‘You become the part and it’s like reliving the event,’’ Father Bob said. ‘‘It becomes a spiritual event, not just a production.’’
According to director Tom Franco, the passion play will only be performed every other year. Next year, the family worship theater is hoping to perform the ‘‘Living Last Supper’’ cantata which has some acting but is mostly music. The passion play this year grew to more than 60 participants.
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