Ever Ancient, Ever New (The Badlands Passion Play)
Most of the St. Mary’s group at the performance
We all know the story. We remember and celebrate it every Easter. We profess it every time we go to Mass... “He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried…” But sometimes familiarity dulls the glory of the story, so to encounter it anew can be a real gift. This spring, parishioners were invited to attend the Badlands Passion Play in Drumheller to do just that – to hear and see the story of Jesus’ Passion anew.
Twenty from St. Mary’s attended the closing performance of the show’s 31st season. The 2026 script was written from Matthew the tax-collector-turned-evangelist’s point of view. Mary Magdalene’s story was woven throughout the narrative emphasizing her role as “Apostle to the Apostles”, as St. Thomas Aquinas describes her, and together the two broken and imperfect, but no less called and beloved, characters framed the performance of the greatest story ever told. Jesus was personable and joyful, with a bit of whimsy, and drew the audience in as he called the apostles, welcomed the children, held the Pharisees and Scribes accountable, and even endured his Passion. He boldly triumphed over death with a chorus of angels and gave reassurance to those who were afraid. The play was moving as it honestly but delicately presented the Lord’s Passion.
The ensemble cast and live brass and percussion filled-out the performance with accompaniment and moving choral pieces, the costumes were impressive, horse-drawn chariots and a donkey for the triumphal entry made it realistic, and the set and badlands backdrop were perfect to transport the audience over 10,000km away and almost 2000 years into the past. It all made for a very captivating performance and artfully invited the audience to be part of the story.
Just like Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, Dallas Jenkins’ The Chosen, and other dramatizations of the life of Christ, the Badlands Passion Play is an opportunity for the faithful to refresh, the unchurched to encounter, and for all to re-engage with the Gospel. The audience gets a new perspective of Jesus, perhaps understanding the divine and human person in an unexpected and interesting way, and each version’s interpreted story and how the disciples are depicted personifies the Gospel differently than Sacred Scripture can alone. In Confessions, St. Augustine says that God is “ever ancient, ever new,” and so even in the familiar – and ancient – stories, we can find the active Lord refreshing and ever new – just as The Badlands PassionPlay did this year.
Jacklyn, Jayna, and Natalie Sturch with Jesus as played by Connor Stuart
It was such a blessing to attend with my mom and my eight- and ten-year-old daughters, to encounter the familiar story anew. I especially appreciated the narrative perspective of Matthew (Levi). I was moved by his disappointment and fear of being with Jesus near the end, that it was not only Peter’s denial but the abandonment of all the apostles except John, that left Jesus with so few at the foot of the Cross. Matthew was reticent to return to Him out of embarrassment and fear, but the resurrected Jesus reminded Matthew not to be afraid. Witnessing Jesus’ triumph, Matthew begins to record the story to share with everyone, finally responding to the calling that he does not understand and ignores several times throughout the play. Jesus’ great commission at the end of Matthew’s gospel is for each of us to live out, and the Passion Play reminded me that when I hesitate or am in some way afraid, I am in good company, but also that it is finally Jesus who dispels the fear, gives the grace needed to understand, and the courage to take on that which I am made for. This reminder and fresh take were truly a gift.
After the performance all were invited to meet the cast, take photos and enjoy a moment with those who worked tirelessly to bring the story to each of us in attendance. The tickets were reasonably priced, especially with a group discount, and the drive was worth it. Seating is assigned, but spaciously on benches, and all with a good view – however, they do need a cushion! The show is performed rain or shine – limited to those six-years-old and up, though eight was young enough for my family. The closing performance was a hot afternoon matinee and a good day for lots of sunscreen, big hats, intermission lemonade, and ice cream from the golf cart concessions to cool off.
For next year’s performance, limited pre-sale tickets are available at a significant discount for a limited time through the Badlands Amphitheatre website. However, keep an eye out for an opportunity to attend as a parish group again next year and consider taking a friend along to re-encounter the greatest story ever told.
Main stage set with audience and actors mingling after the performance
Submitted by Natalie Sturch (St. Mary’s Family Faith Coordinator)
