One-half century has passed since the Coudersport Consistory Players and assorted volunteers first took to the stage to perform The Story of the Crucifixion.

This year 's golden anniversary performances are set for 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, at the consistory auditorium. Tickets, at $3.00, will be available at the door.

There was a time when the Passion Play, as it's traditionally called, was the hottest ticket in town. Busloads of people came from Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Erie and more distant cities to see the show.

Turnout has decreased in more recent y e a r s , but the show lives on. It's a testament to the faith of dozens of people who regularly participate as actors, singers, stagehands and assistants.

This observance of the solemn ceremonial feast of the Paschal Lamb (Maundy Thursday) is a religious and musical experience that has touched thousands of people for generations.

The script was authored by 91- year-old James Roberts, a 33rd Degree Mason from Collingswood, N.J. It grew out of the annual candlelight memorial services for Masons who had died during the past year.

Roberts based the script on the Book of John in the New Testament. Over the years, it has been altered to include the finer points of recorded history, with writer Jim Bishop's The Day Christ Died among the references.

After dress rehearsals that started in 1956, the first Passion Play was performed to a full house April 15-16, 1957. Hundreds of people were turned away after the seats and standing room were packed to the limit.

Bill Brocklebank's organ prelude opened the 1957 performance. Fresh from Penn State University, Brocklebank was a music teacher at Warren High School and took great pride as the Passion Play's musical director for decades.

Bill Thompson was Christ for the debut and continued in the role for 32 years. Bill Roberts portrayed Judas, while Bill Carey was Peter.

Other major characters were played by Charles Catlin, Ed Gates, Burdett Erway, Llewellyn Dolaway, Marshall Lignian, Earl Duggan, John Lasher, Louis Freeman, Sterling Praisewater, Bob Kernahan, Arch Akeley, Ferd Gunzburger and other

local

notables.

Ed Schott

and the late

C h i c k

McCloud and

John Duvall

were among the

Roman soldiers.

Another 25

players portrayed

the people of

Jerusalem.

Loretta Berger and Lucille Clark

a s s i s t e d

Brocklebank with

the music. A 46-

voice Community

Chorus filled the

auditorium with

f o u r - p a r t

harmony.

As years stretched to decades, many of the actors,

singers and

s t a g e h a n d s

continued in

their traditional

roles. Most cast

changes came in

the children's

parts, which were

outgrown.

Cast members and crew are continually striving to improve the details of the presentation, many through their c o n t i n u i n g

education on

prominent figures

in Christ's life.

Older actors who are

cast in the part of

young men from the

Bible require wigs and

heavy makeup to better look the part.

They strive for as faithful as possible a representation of the

era when Christ lived. Props are sometimes handmade to be more authentic. Manners of the Roman era

are considered by

the actors when

making stage

moves.

Robes of all colors and fabrics can be seen onstage, some weighing upwards of 30 pounds. Hats, helmets, swords, armor, peasants' costumes and kings' clothing are all kept in safekeeping. Many of the 50-year-old

garments could never

be replaced by today's costume shops.

Three copper pitchers created by the

late Judge Robert

Lewis, an early

director of the Passion

Play, are still in use for the

Last Supper scene depicting 33

A.D.

Adding its own important element to the Passion Play is the magnificent Moller organ, which occupies the center of the auditorium and has been a vital part of the consistory since the concert hall was built in 1929.

Coudersport's Masonic Order "inherited" the organ from a church that had purchased it on credit for $10,000, but fallen behind on its payments. The instrument is worth an estimated $400,000 today.

The Passion Play has been performed for every year since 1957, with two or three exceptions.

Proceeds from the show are used to support Scottish Rite charities.

Those attending the show are encouraged to consult their programs for an explanation of the Passion Play's significance:

"To the Christian, Maundy Thursday commemorates The Last Supper and refers to the commandment of Jesus: 'A new commandment I give unto you that you love one another.' In commemorating this Feast of the Paschal Lamb, let us remember our departed brothers and again consecrate our lives to the service of God and the love of humanity."