In All Its Glory

The Crystal Cathedral’s “Glory of Easter” show is no cuddly Easter parade.

Sure, there are plenty of critters on hand. Topping the four-legged cast is the Bengal tiger that appeared in Disney’s 1994 live-action film of “Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book.” There’s also a hump-backed bovine called a zebu, some sheep and a whiskered, 20-year-old donkey named Hercules.

And as usual, the show features a host of--OK, six--airborne angels.

But these are all just supporting roles. The focus of the 90-minute production is the last week in the life of Jesus Christ, dramatized through the biblical stories concerning what is often referred to as Holy Week.

That’s a reasonably heady plot line for a show that is supposed to appeal to family audiences (it is suggested for children as young as 9).

But assistant director Terry Larson considers “The Glory of Easter,” written, directed and produced by Paul David Dunn (son-in-law of Crystal Cathedral founder Robert Schuller), accessible to a wide audience--even non-Christians.

“I look at this as a show that brings to life a historical event, which is the life of Jesus Christ,” Larson said, speaking from the office of the cathedral’s Glory Productions, a department within the huge church complex that also produces the annual “Glory of Christmas” pageant.

“Non-Christians frequently come to see this,” he continued. “Maybe they come for educational reasons, to learn more about Christianity, or maybe they have no beliefs at all.

“They’re just coming to see a major show, [and] it’s our job to transport them back 2,000 years so they can experience this part of history,” he said.

“Major” is the operative word here. Crystal Cathedral is a massive operation, a 30-acre complex that includes a memorial park, gift shop and the centerpiece, 3,000-seat, 12-story glass-and-steel cathedral itself that boasts, among other amenities, a massive Sony Jumbotron video screen.

The show’s 200-plus cast members, including about 40 children, perform on a 124-foot wide, multilevel stage at the front of the cathedral. Unlike other church Easter pageants, costumes and props are professionally designed and made. There’s nary a rumpled bathrobe or construction-paper crown in sight.

It takes about 400 cast members, ticket-takers, stage crew and parking-lot attendants, not to mention a good chunk of cash (cathedral officials keep mum about the exact figure), to put on the show. Most of the cast is volunteer, but the lead roles are played by Equity actors, including Bodie Newcomb as Jesus and Daniel Bryan Cartmell as Herod.

The story line may be ancient, but the effects are strictly 21st century. It takes nearly six weeks to load in all the technical equipment and special grids required for the show.

The angels (125-pound weight limit, mind you) “fly” nearly 85 feet above the audience courtesy of Flying by Foy, which also supplied effects for “EFX” with Michael Crawford in Las Vegas and Disney’s mega-musical, “Beauty and the Beast.”

The recorded music, played by members of the London Symphony Orchestra, is broadcast on a state-of-the-art sound system and augmented by live trumpets, drums and the cathedral’s 13,700-pipe Hazel Wright organ.

At the end, Jesus dies on the cross during a lightning storm of lasers; when he rises from the dead, pyrotechnics and flash pots announce his return.

All this may seem excessive and perhaps even ridiculous, especially to people who view Easter as a time of reflection and reconciliation.

Larson says “Glory” is just keeping pace with audience demand.

“In the L.A. area, people are used to large productions [like] ‘Phantom’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ” he said. “We need to be on that scale. And I think we are.”

* What: “The Glory of Easter.”

* When: Through April 9. Performances are Tuesday at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30; Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. No performances on Easter Sunday or on Mondays, except April 8 (6:30 and 8:30 p.m.)

* Where: Crystal Cathedral, 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove.

* Whereabouts: From the Garden Grove (22) Freeway, exit at The City Drive and head north. Turn left on Chapman Avenue then left on Lewis Street. From the Santa Ana (5) Freeway, exit at Chapman and drive west, then turn left on Lewis.

* Wherewithal: $12 for April 2, 8 and 9 performances only. All other shows, $18 to $30. Parking is free.

* Where to call: (714) 544-5679.