The Great Passion Play Opens April 30

Eureka Springs, AR — The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the nation’s largest and most popular outdoor drama, opens for the 2004 season on April 30, 2004, at 8:30 PM. For over 35 years, more than 7 million visitors from virtually every country in the world have visited The Great Passion Play.

With the advent of Mel Gibson’s movie, The Passion of the Christ, there has been an increased interest in The Great Passion Play from media throughout the United States. Joe Gies, CEO of The Great Passion Play, comments, “We’ve had reporters from the Boston Globe, the New Jersey Star Ledger, St.

Louis Post-Dispatch, FOX-TV in Little Rock, Springfield News Leader, and more contact us about our Passion Play. It’s been interesting explaining that The Great Passion Play actually tells the complete story of the Passion Week, from Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, through His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.

The other obvious difference is that we’re not inside — our drama is set under the Ozark skies with a cast of hundreds of authentically costumed actors and exotic animals performing live for our visitors.” The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas is performed in a 4,100-seat outdoor amphitheater. Gies continues, “We’ve been asked what affect The Passion of The Christ movie has had on our production. We hope that it creates even more interest in us and for our part, it has helped inspire us…just like we hope to inspire our visitors.”

Another added feature at The Great Passion Play in 2004 is the Beyond Words exhibit featuring the artwork of contemporary Christian artist, Ron DiCianni. The Great Passion Play experience also includes the New Holy Land Tour featuring one of the world’s only full-sized fully furnished reproductions of Moses’ Tabernacle in the Wilderness. The two-hour tour is one of the fastest growing daytime attractions in Arkansas and features over 30 authentic reproductions of Old and New Testament exhibits.

Other on-site attractions include the Christ of the Ozarks Memorial Statue, the Sacred Arts Center, the Bible Museum, the Parables at the Potter, and a 10-foot section of the Berlin Wall.

The Great Passion Play Performance is open from April 30 through October 30, 2004. Shows are at 8:30 PM (7:30 PM after Labor Day). Call the box office for exact schedules. Also, in 2004 The Great Passion Play complex will feature again in November and December the interactive live nativity experience “Beyond Dickens”.