Arts & Leisure
Inspired by the power of drama: musical tells the life story of Jesus
By Melissa Wood
Father John Skehan plays guitar in the band for the upcoming production of "To God Be the Glory" at St. Christopher's Church while young cast members practice a song for the upcoming production during a dress rehearsal this past Sunday. The musical about the life of Jesus opens this Thursday and runs through Sunday.
Photos by Melissa Wood
"Every time I went to a play, it just moved me," she said, and realizing what a play could can do to inspire people, she asked her priest at St. Christopher's Church if she could put on a play about Jesus. The priest said yes, but asked her how she was going to do that.
"I didn't know," said Leroux.
However, with what she feels was truly divine help, Leroux wrote and produced "To God Be the Glory," a show playing this week that is celebrating its 14th year and tells the story of the life of Jesus, beginning with the events of the annunciation and birth and culminating with the Last Supper, death and resurrection as a dramatic grand finale.
"When Jesus emerges triumphantly from the tomb as the Risen Christ, the whole church resounds with joyful music and song," stated a press release about the annual event.
Rita's son Leo Leroux is one person who has witnessed firsthand the play's affect on audiences. He plays Jesus, a role he has performed since the play's beginning.
"I'm fortunate," he said. "I get to see the faces."
When the play began, Leo said his mother first asked him to play a Roman soldier, but he did not want to portray a part responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus. The next day, however, his mother asked him to play Jesus, a role he couldn't turn down.
Leo is joined onstage by his brothers Richard Leroux, who plays St. Peter, and Don Leroux, who plays St. John the Baptist.
"It's a small thing that we can do for God," Leo said, adding, "The payback is incredible."
St. Christopher's new pastor, Father John Skehan, will be participating in the play this year for the first time, but decided he would rather be in the background than his usual place on the alter delivering homilies to the congregation.
"I figured what the heck, I'll be in the band," said Skehan, who plays guitar during the production.
Skehan also plays the trumpet and French horn, and taught himself guitar in college.
"One of the things I miss doing is music," he said.
Skehan, along with Father Joseph Cahill, came to St. Christopher's last July, but he said he had seen the production before.
"It's nice to support them," he said.
With more than 165 participants, including 112 performers, "To God Be the Glory" features an all-amateur, ecumenical group of talented singers, musicians and actors, some who are new and some who have been with the show since it first opened in 1994. The cast includes Pat Rose - known locally as "The Singing Realtor" - as Mary, and former York Selectman Michael Palumbo, who plays a Roman soldier.
Jeffrey Fitzgerald of York directs the show, and Laurie Mitchell, also of York, serves as the music director.
"It's just been a great way for getting into the spirit of Easter," said Mary Tarpey, the show's assistant director.
Rita Leroux said in the early years of the play she and Kathy Boston, the play's original director, did just about everything to put the production on stage, but 14 years later, "it's everybody's play now."
"I'm just continuously amazed at what God can do," said Leroux. "I couldn't have accomplished any of this without His help."
"To God Be the Glory" will be performed this Thursday, March 22, through Saturday, March 24, at 6:30 p.m. The final performance will be on Sunday, March 25, at 5:30 p.m. Performances are inside St. Christopher Church on York Street. Admission is free, but a donation is welcome.
