RELIGION / JOHN DART : Church Uses Its Hollywood Ties in Staging Its First Passion Play

It’s not on the scale of the Crystal Cathedral’s million-dollar “Glory of Easter,” but a Passion play rehearsing at Shepherd of the Hills Church does have a blend of spirituality and pizazz with a few animals, special effects and advice from Hollywood professionals.

Actor Robert Newman, who plays Josh on “The Guiding Light” daytime serial, will portray Jesus in the musical drama’s seven productions starting April 10 at the Porter Ranch church.

A two-level set depicting Jerusalem in the Gospel stories of Jesus’ last days was designed by John Kersey, who was construction coordinator for the TV series “Moonlighting” and “Fame.” The 93-foot-long set now spans the large altar area of the new, 1,600-seat church sanctuary that was officially dedicated this month.

Shepherd of the Hills, called the Van Nuys First Baptist Church before it moved and changed its name, has been known for its elaborate “Living Christmas Tree” musical productions.

But an Easter drama is a new venture for the church, and not long in the planning.

Developed early this year from a script by Kersey, the play will not only depict the climactic empty tomb scenes but also show Jesus ascending to the heavens--with the help of film studio prop experts.

A horse and some fowl appear in some scenes, and a trained hawk will fly to the arm of Pontius Pilate as the Roman official, played by studio singer John Laird, talks to Jesus.

Traditional Christian lore says that Pilate was an animal fancier. Indeed, the ninth annual “The Glory of Easter” production at the Rev. Robert Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral shows a leashed tiger near Pilate’s side. That Orange County production has a budget of more than $1 million and is expected to draw 80,000 people to the 38 performances from April 3 to 19.

“I doubt that we will ever get to that level of production,” said Pastor Jess Moody, “because we just don’t have that kind of money.”

Director Mary Weidner of Northridge, who has run church theatrical productions in Oklahoma and the Midwest, said the overall budget for the Passion play is between $15,000 and $18,000.

“We’re not renting any costumes,” Weidner said. “Volunteers are making them, and a lot of the fabric has been donated. The sets are being constructed here by volunteers.”

The play has 67 actors, 34 of them with speaking parts. All are on the church’s roster of members and regular churchgoers. Amy Moody, daughter-in-law of the senior pastor and the church’s musical director, is the play’s producer and choir director.

Though affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, the church emphasizes a nondenominational approach and includes a group of about 200 people who work in the entertainment industry--”everyone from producers to craft service people,” said Associate Pastor Patrick Moody, son of the senior pastor.

“We have felt that the church in general has turned its back on the film and TV industry,” said the younger Moody. While working over a seven-year stretch as a production associate with actor Burt Reynolds, Patrick Moody appeared in a half-dozen of his films, including “Smokey and the Bandit” and its sequel.

Patrick Moody will portray the disciple Peter in the play, but he also serves as Newman’s understudy in case of an emergency.

“Jesus’ wife is expecting a baby the week after the show closes, so we don’t want to take any chances,” Weidner said.

Shepherd of the Hills was nearly in the news Tuesday when a driver pursued by police--and television helicopters--was stopped at the church’s fence. Pastor Moody watched the chase’s conclusion on television at home. “I was yelling, ‘Name the church!’ ‘Put up a Passion play sign quickly!’ ” he said, joking about the lost opportunity for TV exposure.

The April 10 opening will be at 8 p.m., followed by three shows that weekend. The last three performances will be at 8 p.m. April 17 and at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. April 18, the day before Easter. Tickets are $10 for reserved seats and $7 for general seating. The church, 19700 Rinaldi St., which now lists its mailing address as Porter Ranch rather than Chatsworth, can be called at (818) 831-9333 for information and ticket order forms.