Los Angeles herald., 1910-03-06
PIETY DOMINANT
IS PASSION PLAY
AUTHOR CONSIDERS DRAMA
SACRED AS PRAYER
LOCAL PRESENTATION MAY BE
EQUAL OF ORIGINAL
Beauty and Religious Atmosphere Of
Production at Auditorium Pleas
ing to Few Witnessing Re-
hearsals of Company

The massiveness of the presentation,
the solemnity and grandeur of the great
American Passion play as rehearsed in
this city during the past week, has
brought to notable witnesses the con-
viction that the presentation at the
Auditorium next week will equal in
beauty and religious atmosphere the
original production at Oberammergau.
Among these are a number who saw
the tragedy portrayed in the old coun-
try.
The limited audiences which night
after night have been privileged 70
watch the unfolding Of this drama have
commented fervently upon the deeply
religious bearing OF the scenes and the
inspiration of the revealed story of the
life which has been the guiding influ-
ence of mankind since the birth OIL
the Savior.
The prophecies bearing upon Christs
coming and his life upon earth are
beautifully exemplihed in the tableaux
conceived in a wonderfully artistic
spirit and represented In connection
with the successive scenes of the Pas
sion play.
I'VE consider the Passion play as sa-
Kraus, the author, in a recent inter-
view. Il have copyrighted 1t at wash
ington. so that 1t cannot be profaned
by being acted without permission OF
the Franciscan Fathers. 1t is also be-
cause of the sacred nature of the sub
ject that we exercise the greatest care
in choosing members for the cast. we
seek piety In the participants"
1t is q spiritual drama throughout.
When presented for the first time in
San Francisco the great audiences sat
throughout the long hours OF presen-
tation, awed and III most worshiptui
spirit. No sound of applause was
heard during the production there, and
each spectator as he left the audito-
rum betrayed in his countenanee the
revelation of the great religious lesson
learned, according to writer's of that
city.
The presentation in Los Angeles viii
he the same as that which took place
In San Francisco. All of the original,
stupendous stage effects and scenery
by famous artists will be used. The
full cast of 900 participants Will ap-
pear, while the music which augments
This sumptuous spectacle will be In
keeping with the twenty-one impelllng
sacred scenes.
There will be but two performances.
Each will run three nights, beginning
Monday, March IA. In order TO care
for the seat demand the management
has decided to open the sale OF season
seats tomorrow morning. If the reser-
walton remains those who desire single
seats will be able TO secure them at
the Auditorium beginning THURSDAY
March 10. However, there are indl-
cations that the great house will be
sold out before that date, and the line
at the Auditorium box office tomor-
row morning is expected to be long
one. ,
The preparation for this tremendous
spectacle, under the auspices of the
Franciscan Fathers, has called for very
heavy expenses in order to assure prop
or presenttaion. The result will be the
most pretentious production ever ap-
nearing upon a western stage. If the
success of the spectacle is such that
finds remain after the bills are palo
thew will be used to promote the MIS-
sionary work Of the Frasciscan Fa-
theirs.