Easter play in last act?

For 41 years Alberta Lyric Theatre has mounted the Easter extravaganza Love According to John. But this year’s musical performances April 6 and 7 at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium just might be the end of a long and cherished tradition.

June Hunt, the director and driving force behind the musical, is retiring this year and it remains to be seen whether any passionate artistic will fill her shoes.

Hunt is retiring in large part because her husband is unwell and needs her attention.

“I will miss it a great deal,” says Hunt. “Everybody is a challenge in that you can help them achieve what they would like to do. When something special happens, it’s exciting for them and for me.”

Back in 1965, Edmonton hairdresser Wally Sczebel founded a program that provided at-risk youth with recreational opportunities. He visited depressed areas and invited kids to join his club, offering athletics and socials.

By 1971, the group was flourishing and Sczebel invited Hunt, an opera singer who performed with Alberta Lyric Theatre, to create a work that could be performed by Teen Time members.

“Wally wanted to do a variety show. But I thought why not do something musical from the Bible, mostly from the Book of John. It’s written like a play. The dialogue is all laid out for you.”

The two-hour production stretches from the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River to his ministry, his passion and death and ultimate resurrection.

“Usually you think of a passion play as dark and sad. But there’s so much more in this play – the way he dealt with down-and-outers and the discards of society. Even women were treated as equals.”

With the passage of decades, the actors evolved from a teen group to a multi-generational cast. This year, three major roles have gone to St. Albert actors. Carmen Vale is Mary Magdalene, Terry Hall plays St. Peter and Brett Hammerlindle is Nicomodeus.

In smaller speaking roles Camille Foo plays the maid at the high priest’s palace, Max L’Hirondelle is one of the crucified thieves and Frank Hayes has landed the role of a guard. The three Hall sisters – Danielle, Ereinne and RenĂ©e – are dancers in the chorus while Lise Deschanes plays the dual role of merchant and comforter.

“The music is extraordinarily beautiful and it will give you a sense of being there with Jesus,” says Hunt. “It will reinforce your faith. It might give people a different picture of Jesus.”