The San Francisco call., 1909-08-08
PASSION PLAY WILL
LEAD TO DEVOTION
Impressive and Unusual Effects
Make Father Josephat's Work
a Great Spectacle
Principals and Chorus Make
Good Progress in RehearsaIs
for October Production

Father Josephat's great passion
play. the magnificent spectacle which
is to be produced here on a scale un-
dreamed of by the peasants of far
famed Oberammergau, is slowly form
ing into a complete presentation at
the triweekly rehearsals in the audi
torium of St Dominic's church. Prin-
cipals and chorus are learning the
stately movements and attitudes that
are TO make the play the impressive
and beautiful devotional service the
Franciscan fathers pictured it when
Father Josephat last Christmas con-
ceived the plan and began work upon
the manuscript. The trained choir is
increasing in power and efficiency, the
four tableaux which end each act are
gaining in grandeur with each sue
ceeding presentation, and the classical
and complex music which follows in
spirit of composition the varying
emotions of the action is attaining an
excellence that promises to make it a
notable part of the performance.
MUSICAL SPLEND0R
OF PRODUCTION
The strongest scene is that disclos-
ing Christ upon the cross. All is,
darkness save for the light plays upon
the form of the Savior, and the light
ming that flashes now and again upon
the fleeing mob below the cross, the
two thieves upon each side of the
Christ and the Roman soldiers in their
frenzy. Crashes of thunder and the
rocking of earthquakes complete the
effect, while above the outcry of ma
ture can be heard the walls of the
frightened people.
Unlike he I7iSforiao1 ,,arfor,,,o a+
Oberammergau, the passion play here
will be given with the most wonder
full effects in lights. costuming and
scenic splendOr that modern stage
craft has evolved. II all 236 costumes
have been ordered ram a new firm
that has pledged itself to produce gar
ments of unusual coloring and beauty.
CLASSIC MUSIC
ARRANGED
The music at Oberammergau is sim
pie, and the singers, for the most part
unframed, but at the Franciscan play
there will be a most elaborate pro-
gram of classical music given by a
hidden choir of several hundred voices
and accompanied by a full orchestra.
with organ, harps and French horns.
The performance win take IA hours
and viii be given in four consecutive
nights in the auditorium of st. Domi-
MICS church, which seats 500 people.
So great is the demand for tickets to
the spectacle, however. that the fathers
have all but decided that at least one
performance shall be given in the
largest hall to be secured in the city.
The Franciscan order is a poor one
and its members are not anxious to
undertake an expensive performance
far from their own hall.
SEVERAL PRESENTATION
PLANNED
If the play attains the popularity
present interest promises it, probably
it will be repeated in future years, and,
like the Oberammergau production, in
the open air. Marin county and San
Mateo county are in the minds of the
fathers as possible scenes for the pro-
duction.
While the date for the passion play
is yet undecided, ii is settled that it
win begin in the first week of Octo-
Der and continue as long as public in
terest warrants.
Rev. Father Peter Huesges is in
charge of the music, and is composing
some of the selections for the action
He is an acknowledged authority on
sacred music and a composer of great
ability Joseph Dewitt of the old Tiv-
oil is the stage manager, and Father
Josephat, author of the play, has gem
eral charge of the production.