New-York tribune., 1920-02-23
9 ssVeronica's Veil, =
:. Big Lenten Drama,
Thrills Audience
Americas Passion Play, Civ
en- by Members of St. Jo-
seph's Church, West Ho-
boken, Opens 9th Season

Tho hrst performance of the year of
"Veroniea's Veil" which opened its
sixth season yesterday afternoon at St.
Joseph's Auditorium, Central Avenue
and Traphagen Street, West Hobokep,
was marked by the same dramatic pow
er that has thrilled audiences in other
years. As given yesterday this power
tul Lenten drama, which compares with
the Passion Play given at Oberammer-
gau more than any other play upon the
stage to-day in it's impressiveness-a q
spectacle, was even better done than
formerly.
Practically all the participants in
"Veronica's Veil" are members of ST.
Joseph's Church in West Hoboken. For
the entire six years Of the production
most Of the principals and lesser char
acters have remained the same gifted
amateurs who have been nodded into
the many parts called for by Father
Conrad and Father Bernard, who direct
the production. The play, which has
come to be known as "America's Pas
sion Play" was written by the Rev.
Father Bernardine, C. P.
Elaborate Tableaus Presented
"Veronica's Veil" given in five acts
and thirteen scenes, is based on the
story 'of the veil that Veronica gave
Christ as He was carrying the Cross
to Calvary and which bore the impress
sion OF His face when He returned it
- hsr. This veO later provco to be
miracles, and causes many conversations
to Christianity after Chrsts death,
when the Romans have become
alarmed at the spread of the new re-
ligion and have determined to STAMP
it out.
Through the use Of elaborate scenery
and electrical devices several tableaus
were presented, which had a noticeable
erect upon the audience, particularly
the striking scene Of the crucifxion
and the resurrection. The costumes
throughout are beautiful
There are about 250 persons in the
organization of the play, which is d.
vided into two sepaCate parts, known
as A and B, which alternate in the
performance during the Lcnten season.
Play Is High Glass
For strictly amateur play it is
high class, and while it is not i'm
peccable from the point of view of
enunciation and dramtic ability of some
of the characters that does not mar it
seriously, and on the whole the effect
is genuinely pleasing. Edwin Coyle,
as Abenadar, was particularly rood
while Mildred Tiburski, as Ruth. and
anna burnitt, rs Domatilla, both gave
excellent interpretations of their roles.
The first two named are in the organi
cation for the first time this wear.
Joseph Halsch took the part of
Christus. He has portrayed that char
acter each year except last, when he
was IN military service
Bourke Cochran, chairman of the
executive committee for the present
year, made a short address between
the third and fourth a-.s, in which he
said civilization was being shaken be-
cause there is more hate than love in
the world. LET US apply Christ's laws
as we see them portrayed in this play
Mr. Cochran said, "and the great doc
trine of love will replace the hate that
IS Keeping cloud of calamity over u.s.
governor Edward l. Edwards, of New
Jersey, assistant chairman, was unable
to be present. Archbishop Bruches 81
OF Montreal, was among the guests.
The play will be presented on Sunday
afternoons and evenings and on Tues
day and Thursday evenings throughout
Tonf