North American Outdoor Drama and Plays of Interest to Faith Travelers (by Ruth Hill with Faith Travel Focus)

The following article is by Ruth Hill with Faith Travel Focus. 

Click here to view original article link and source at Faith Travel Focus: http://www.faithtravelfocus.com/north-american-outdoor-drama/

Current and long-running North American outdoor drama of interest to faith travelers include these:

The Great Passion Play: With its Ozark Mountain setting in Eureka Springs, AK., this drama about the life of Jesus Christ has attracted over seven million people since 1969. The Institute of Outdoor Drama has named it America’s number one outdoor drama for attendance.

Running this year through October, the stage action isn’t the only attraction on the grounds of the amphitheater. Included are Christ of the Ozarks, the third tallest statue of Jesus in the world at 67 feet. The Bible Museum has over 7,000 Bibles in 625 languages and dialects, along with a collection of parchments and rare Bibles like an original 1611 King James Bible. The Sacred Arts Center features works of religious art in 64 different forms.

This year’s roster includes several weekly performances through October 26.

Visit Them Here: Great Passion Play

The Shepherd of the Hills: One of Branson, MO.’s most lasting stories has been around for over a century, since the book of the same name by Kansas minister Harold Bell Wright published in 1907.

The outdoor drama commenced in 1960. Based on a homestead, its occupants and life events, Shepherd offers action, intrigue, and romance as the drama unfolds under the Ozark stars and skies. A troupe of 90 actors, horses, sheep and a burning cabin bring the Ross Family’s homesteading story to life.

Inspiration Tower on the show site was erected in 1989 for the centennial celebration of Wright’s first visit to the area. Glass elevators transport visitors to the observation deck where they get panoramic views of 90 miles out on good weather days. Branson’s big Christmas season has the tower lit up during November and December.

The Shepherd of the Hills drama continues its production schedule this year through October 19.
Visit Them Here: Shepherd of the Hills

Canadian Badlands Passion Play: The Badlands of south central Alberta province make for a dramatic and photogenic outdoor setting amid a repository of fossils and bones from millions of years ago.

Located near the small town of  Drumheller, the 30-acre canyon bowl forms a natural amphitheater in which the biblical drama unfolds. The drama honors the medieval European passion play traditions in the telling of Jesus’ life, miracles, and resurrection. The set recreates the ancient Bible lands for the cast of 150 professional and amateur actors, choir, and orchestra to perform. Local Alberta cowboys transform into Roman soldiers on horseback, and are among over 500 volunteers from across western
Canada who make the play possible.

Running through July 21st this year, the show has been a sold-out success since 1994 and named an Alberta Top Cultural Attraction and one of North America’s Top 100 Events.

Visit Them Here: Canadian Badlands

The Living Word Outdoor Drama: The old city of Jerusalem comes alive in this Cambridge, OH. drama that recounts Jesus life and teachings. Founded in 1975 by Harvey and Hazel Harvey, the drama is the only outdoor production that invites the audience to be part of the performance, as they are invited to join the cast as extras.

Performances run Fridays and Saturdays through September 28 in 2013.

A special performance by Larry Gatlin of The Gatlin Brothers gospel and country group performs in the Living Word Amphitheater Saturday, August 3rd for one night only

Visit Them Here:  The Living Word Outdoor Drama

The Picture in Scripture Amphitheater: Biblical productions like this summer’s “The Elijah Factor” fill the stage in this 1,000-seat Disney, OK. Theater..

Picture In Scripture

The current show runs through Friday and Saturday night through July 27, with an array of colorful costumes, special effects and sound, pyrotechnics and live animals. The Bible stories of Queen Jezebel, King Ahab and their evil deeds come on the scene, with the prophet Elijah performing miracles and fire falling from heaven.

Linda and Bill Goldner opened the theater in 1985 as part of their ministry that includes church pastorates, and a home for teenage girls.

The above article is by Ruth Hill with Faith Travel Focus. 

Click here to view original article link and source at Faith Travel Focus: http://www.faithtravelfocus.com/north-american-outdoor-drama/