The San Francisco call., 1909-05-23
SOLEMN SPECTACLE
TO BE PRESENTED
SumptuOus Production of Pas
sion Play Under Direction of
Franciscan Fathers
Drama Written by'LOcal Mem
Der of Religious Order Ito
Be Seen Here

OF i IT Atia Az = tfN-+> - t'-N---
Der. has become nsore than pro
iected enterprise. for she richly painted
scenery TO be used in The ma gni6cent
spectacle has been finished by an east
ern artist and sent 10 this city. some
~ the leading parts have been cast
and preparations begun for the first
rehearsal next week Rev. Father
Josephat Of ST Ronifaoe's church, au-
thor OF the play. has completed ar
rangements for the produciion and Sc
cured the cooperation OF nsen Of talent.
The play may well be scaled San
Francisco's. for. though itsis modelled
in its foundation principles upon the
passion plays Of Europe. particularly
the world ia amed production at Ober-
ammergau. Vet in wording. composition
and staging il viii be entirely original
Father Josephat has been actively al
work on the manuscript since christ
mas. and has used in ii only scenes
from the scriptures. The plaE- differ
ing in that respect from The old world
presentations. VIII be builded entirely
from the bible
MAGNITUDE or SPECTACLE
such is the magnitude Of the spec
tscle that ii viii require ? cast Of over
$50 persons 10 present il. and $4,000
viii be expended on its performance.
From y 20 "a hours VIII he consumed
in presenting the play. ana four even
ings viii be filled with the complete
presentation. There are 90 speaking
parts
Miss Mary Wandra. who has acted
in other performances given by the
church viii represent Mary. the moth
cr Of Christ. and Joseph n Hans. for
merly professor in franciscan
schools n-ill represent the Savior.
Father Josephat has filled these prin-
,-ipal roles after months OF study. and
he declares that righteousness of char
actor as weH as histriOnic talent was
considered a requisite quality Of those
10 whom the parts were TO be given
The portrayal Of Christ and the Nir-
gin Mary" Father Josephat explained.
will be "A reli gious devotion of the
most sacred nature to the actors.
Tile play VIII be fully cast within
The neXt two weeks. and the leading
parts win be in rehearsal long before
that time.
EXPERIENCED STAGE MANAGER
Having The spectacle directly in
charge wiil be one Of the ciN's best
known theatrical men. T. de Witt for
many wears stage mana ger Of the old
Tivol Gev Father p. Huesges Of
Eed Bluff q musician and composer Of
peculiar gifts. has consented to take
entire command % The presentation Of
the ch0ra Odes and instrumental music
and is expected here within few
DAYS to complete plans for the whole
musical scheme Of the play.
The auditorium OF St BOnif6ce. in
which the play VIII be Siven. has been
newly frescoed and the installation Of
The necessary chairs and properties is
almost accomplished The hall viii
seat l.50e people.
Rev. Father P Maximilian has as
sisted Father Josephat in preparing the
manuscript Of the production, and il
received the approval Of Rev. r. p.
Cummings. chancellor of the archdio-
cese. and Rev. p. TObin Of Dolores
church. The highest authorities have
been consulted in deciding upon the diff
icult task OF costuming the characters.
ELABORATE STAGE EFFECTS
Choral odes. tableaux and recitations
VIII form the greater part of the rep
resentation. and but the latest stage
effects viii be used in adding to the
impressiveness of the scenes Spot and
flood lights and mechanical stage ef-
fects OF all sorts viii be utilized, thus
making a radical departure from the
Passion play at Oberammergau.
Many Of the tableauN throughout the
play set forth Old Testament history
that parallels the life of Christ. The
sacrifice of Melchisedec, king of Salem,
the prototype of the sacrament, is
shown just before the last supper. at
which Christ gave the bread and wine
10 his disciples. A full synopsis of
the Passion play follows:
SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY
Prologue-Grand tsbleau Abraham sacrifices
his SON. Isaac; pathetic recitation; children's
prayer.
Part first. act one-Entry into Jerusalem.
Scene l. King Solonon's entry into Jerusalem:
Christ enters Jerusalem amid psalms and re
j0icing.
in the house Of Simon the leper. Scene i
return Of prodigal son; scene ? Christ snnointed
by Mary Msgdsiene; scene 3, grand tableau,
Act fhree-Christ leaving bis mother. Scene
yeung Tobias farewell 70 his parents; scene .
Christ leaves his mother; scene g. grand tableau,
with chorus.
Act four The last supper scene 1. the saeri-
hee Of Melchisidee; scene ? the last supper
with four grand rsbieaux and chorus.
Act hve-The saRhedrim agrees upon the death
n Jesus; Judas bargain. Scene / sons Of
Csiaphas, priests and doctors assemble in council
against Jesus; scene ). Judas bargain with the
high council for the betrayal Of his master
Part two. act one-Scene I, tsblesu showing
Adam earning his bread by the sweat Of his
brow, typical OF Christ upon the Mount Of Olives:
scene ?. Christ and his apostles; scene g. Christ
pies; scene 8 Christ in agony; scene 6. appari-
iion Of the angel; scene Z, the kiss OF Judas. d
scene :. the apprehension Of Christ; grand tab
leau. with chorus.
Act two-christ before the sanhedrim: false
witness. Scene 1. NabOth stoned to death he
cause of false witness: scene . Christ before the
council scene 8, false witnesses rise against
Christ; scene 4. Christ condemned 10 death bv
The council: tsbleau and chorus.
Act three-Denisl Of St. Peter Scene Iob
iusulted by his wife and friends scene 2 PETER
denies our savior thrice; scene 3 Peters re-
pentance.
Act fOur-Despair and death Of Judas Scene
7. Cain. driven by guilty conscience, is 0utcast
upon the earth; scene >, Judas, conscience
stricken. brings back the silver 10 the high
priest scene 5, Judas in despair; scene 4. Judas
takes his life.
Part three. act one-Christ before plate
Scene !, governor under King Darius accuses
Prophet Daniel before the royal throne: scene .
Christ before PLATE; scene ;, Piate sends Christ
Herod.
Act two-Christ before King Herod Scene J.
samson. IN fetters. Is Knocked By the Philistines:
scene >. King HerOd and his court: scene 3
Christ insulted before Herod; scene T. Herod
sends Christ back 10 PLATE
Act fhree-Christ second time before Herod
scene 1, Saisphak ar0uses the multitude against
christ scene ,. PLATE prOnouDces Christ innO
rent; scene 3, Christ and Barabbas; scene T. the
nageliation of Christ; scene 3 the GROWING with
fh0rns; scene q. 'Ecce homOt'' (,.BehOid the
man., scene = Cruelty him scene 5, Plate
pronounces sentence against Christ