Last Updated: Tuesday - 01/04/2011

Passion play draws cast from near and far

EDMONTON — What an amazing feat! A 30-year continuous run of a production, each year getting bigger and better. That is what Love According to John, written, produced and directed by June Hunt, has achieved.

This year more than 300 cast members are involved in this fantastic, musical presentation of the life of Christ, from his Baptism to his Resurrection.

This unbelievable love story is being presented at the Jubilee Auditorium on Good Friday and Saturday evenings and Easter Sunday afternoon.

Its 30-year history includes over 3,000 cast members, more than 65 stage presentations to an audience in excess of 125,000.

It started with humble beginnings as a Teen Time Club (a Christian focused youth group) musical in 1972 and was presented at the Sub Theatre.

In 1976 it graduated to the Victoria Composite Theatre and a two record LP was produced. In 1980 it moved to the Jubilee Auditorium, which it has called home ever since. Videos, tapes and discs of the production have been created in recent years.

Many key members of the cast have been with the production for a long time. Ken Noster, who plays the role of Jesus, has been doing so since 1974 and does an amazing portrayal.

Art Querengesser, the choral conductor and a solo singer in the show, has been with the production for 24 years. His wife, Beth, mistress of the wardrobe and many other administrative duties with Alberta Lyric Theatre , has been with the show for 19 years.

Ron Johnston has been in Love According to John for 19 seasons playing several varied acting roles and now is in charge of the production team.

The amazing part of this production is the huge involvement of gifted and talented people. This inspires the many novices in theatre ranging in age from newborn children to 80 years old to perform magnificently.

Another aspect is the distance from which the cast members come. The current cast comes from Daysland, Rosalind, Derwent, Vilna, Boyle, Radway, Fort Saskatchewan, Ardrossan, Sherwood Park, Beaumont, Leduc, Calmar, Onoway, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Carvel, Legal, Bon Accord, Morinville, St. Albert and Edmonton.

The cast this year has only slightly more than 50 per cent of its members from Edmonton. Nearly 50 per cent come from outlying areas. All corners of Edmonton are well represented and all denominations and faiths as well.

Tickets are available at Christian bookstores and can also be obtained by phoning 455-0787.

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