"Passion Play" of the Black Hills

              The Original
 PASSION PLAY 
of the
 BLACK HILLS 
with
 JOSEF MEIER World Famous CHRISTUS PORTRAYER


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HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM MANHATTAN, KANSAS
8 P. M. OCT. 7-8-9-10 2 P. M. OCT. 8-9-10
POPULAR PRICES
Sponsored by AMERICAN LEGION




THE GREATEST DRAMATIC EVENT EVER TO BE STAGED!


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The Passion Play, in its origin, is essentially Teutonic.  In many communities throughout Europe it has been presented as either an annual Event, or one staged at greater intervals.  Presented first by the church as early as the twelfth century, it became the traditional duty of the laity during the sixteenth and seventeenth century to see to its periodical interpretation.  Participants in this play underwent a lifetime of training to develop the necessary faculties for the proper interpretation of this most difficult and sensative production.




The Passion Play is the symbolical presentation of the story of the life of Christ.  Regardless of religion, sect or creed, the story's dynamic appeal as portrayed in the 
BLACK-HILLS-PASSION PLAY
 is as wide as human nature and offensive to none.  The fitting climax of each of the twenty-two beautiful scenes, will be to all witnesses a remembrance until their last days.




The production is colossal with its hundreds of participants.  The rich oriental costumes and settings rival with the brilliance of the lighting effects.  Scene blends into scene without pause, as one marvels at the genius of stage-craft.




No one can adequately describe the histronic beauty and loveliness of this world renowned drama of the Cross.  Any attempt to do so would utterly fail, for the most vivid and colorful account that could possibly be written would still lack a certain freshness—that intimacy of such an experience — a power that is felt throughout the play.




In twenty-two colorful and gripping scenes the Luenen Passion Players reenact the Last Seven Days of Christ on earth.  Beginning with a prologue, followed by a tableau of the Annunciation, the Life and Sufferings — Death and Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth are reverently brought to life.  The great Drama closes with the singing of the mighty 
Hallejujah Chorus
 from the 
Messiah.





THE ENGLISH SPOKEN DRAMA



Gorgeous Pageantry Chorus and Music Accompaniment








JOSEF MEIER AS THE CHRISTUS





The characters are very real and human.  Long after memories of the colorful scenes are faded, Josef Meier as the Christus, will remain unforgettable.—


C. L. J., Wilmington News.




The Christus played by Josef Meier transcends the mortal existence.  The scenes on the road to Golgatha, the crucifixion, and the removal of Christ from the Cross were superb.


W. P. F., Wilmington Journal.




The Christus of Josef Meier is pictorially better than in Oberammergau.—


J. Fred Lissfield, Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph.




The portrayal of the life and character of Christ by Josef Meier was reverent, gentle, and majestic, and withal a strength of character which made one feel that it could not have been improved upon.  I believe anyone seeing it will be helped to a new sense of reverence.




—
Rev. O. A. Bartley, Pastor, Bw. M. E. Church, Wilmington, Del.




The play as a whole is a beauiful Sacred spectacle.  Its chief appeal is the reverence of the interpretation and the beauty of the tableaux.—


George Sible, Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph.




Under the spell of your presentation, I am quite certain my messages for Good Friday and Easter Sunday were the stronger because I sat with you through the trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.  Mr. Meier, I felt that back of your acting were long hours of preparation, hours in which you inhaled the fragrant breath of God's own Son, hours when you felt your way reverently into His presence.  Christ was pleased with your gallant and heroic and spiritual efforts to make Him real to men.




—
Rev. Oliver J. Collins, B.D., Pastor St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church, Wilmington, Del.




Joseph Meier is from Luenen, Westphalia, Germany.  His ancestors long before him were Biblical Dramatists and he has been trained since childhood to enact the leading roles of the 
Passion Play.
  He has appeared before more than 2,000 audiences on the American stage, both in the United States and Canada.  He bears the reputation of being one of the world's outstanding Christus portrayers.




His interpretation of the Christus in the 
Passion Play
 is superb.  He displays true nobility and magnificent characterization.  The most sincere tribute that could possibly be paid him, is that his auditors are no longer spectators of the play, but are conscious only of being in the presence of Christ Himself, who spoke the words of eternal life.  His rendition of this characterization is an unforgettable event.




Endorsements of Press and Clergy:



The costumes and stage-settings are excellent.  Josef Meier appears as the Christus with authority and poise of long experience in this role in Germany and on tour in this country.  Well qualified in voice and personality for the solemn duty of representing Christ; he acts, or rather moves gently through the many episodes with grace and spiritual appeal.—


Charles Collins, Chicago Tribune.




Josef Meier, portraying the part of Christ, hung from the Cross for a period of over eight minutes last night and gave one of the finest, most thrilling examples of the dramatic power of silence ever seen in Chicago.—


Kelley, Chicago Garfieldian.




The Luenen Passion Play was a magnificent success, due to the work and action of Josef Meier.  The portrayal of the scenes is really inspirational, and it arouses a deep religious fervor in the audience.




—
Rt. Rev. Francis A. Purcell, D.D., St. Mel R. C. Church, Chicago.




Since I left Italy in 1922 where I often used to see Ermete Zacconi and the great Eleanora Duse, I have never seen a play comparable to the Luenen Passion Play.  The artists personifying Christ, Mary, and Judas are truly great artists and impressed me deeply.




—
Rev. Rubenio Parreni, Madison, Wis.




The outstanding Character is Josef Meier, as the Nazarene.  There is a true nobility in Meier's conception. …  Indeed all the cast is excellent—from Mary the Mother to Judas, John, Pilate, Caiaphas, and the Priests.—


Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Harvey Gaul.




I am pleased to state that I was very edified by the reverential manner in which these sorrowful scenes in the life of Our Savior were depicted.  The lighting effects and the costumes used were very picturesque and at the same time realistic.




—
Rev. Joseph A. Cook, Rector, St. Paul's R. C. Cathedral, London, Ontario.




Remarkable and reverent presentation of the greatest theme in human history.  After seeing Mr. Meier's interpretation, the secret of Christ's power seemed to grip me more fully.




—
Rev. Phillip C. Pearson, Pittsburgh, Penna.




The Luenen Passion Play is the finest presentation of its kind now touring this country.




—
James J. Davis, United States Senator.




Mr. Meier and his cast presented realistically and reverently their sacred theme.  I was well pleased and impressed with their performance.




—
August J. Schwertner, Bishop of Wichita.




I wish to express my deep appreciation of the wholesome play that was brought to our city early this month under the auspices of the Monohan Post.




—
Edmond Heelan, Bishop of Sioux City.




HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
MANHATTAN, KANSAS
8 P. M. OCT. 7-8-9-10 2 P. M. OCT. 8-9-10