With the Easter holiday approaching some travelers might be interested in attending a passion play. A dramatic representation of Jesus' suffering during his last days, passion plays have been performed since medieval times (the word passion comes from a Latin verb meaning "to suffer"). These productions are usually quite elaborate and graphic and can be an emotional experience for Christians, as well as others. Many families make yearly pilgrimages to see a passion play. In the Southeast there are a few of note that have been performed for decades. Two have short runs around Easter time, and one has a performance season running from spring into fall.
Tusculum Church Passion Play
Nashville, Tenn.
2011 marks the 20th year of this passion play at Tusculum Church (founded in 1852) in suburban southeast Nashville. Called "His Promise, Our Hope," a cast of 75 perform on eight interlocking stages and in the surrounding scenery, interacting with audiences members at various times during the play. Admission is free but offerings will be taken. Make reservations by calling the church at 615-833-0742. Performances take place April 13-16 at 7 p.m., with a matinee on Palm Sunday at 3 p.m. If you go you'll be in Music City, so take advantage of that fact by making a pilgrimage of another sort to "The Mother Church of Country Music." The Ryman Auditorium downtown is a legendary music venue housed in a beautiful old church building that still has its original pews and stained glass windows. This was the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943-1974 and is still a concert venue by night while offering guided and self-guided tours daily.
Stay
Hutton Hotel. Eco-conscious boutique hotel near downtown Nashville that was on Condé Nast's "Hot List" for 2010. Rates start at $189. 1808 West End Ave. 615-340-9333, www.huttonhotel.com.
Eat
Monell's. To accentuate the community feeling of attending a passion play, visit this family-style dining establishment. You're seated at a table with strangers and made to share all the food dishes placed before you. Be prepared to say things like "pass the skillet-fried chicken, please." Meals $17 and under. Daily lunch, dinner and Sat.-Sun. brunch served. Prices include drinks, salads and desserts. 1235 6th Ave. North. 615-248-4747, www.monellstn.com.
Visitor info
Nashville Visitor Information Center. Fifth Ave. S. & Broadway (at the Bridgestone Arena downtown). 1-800-657-6910, www.visitmusiccity.com.
The Great Passion Play
Eureka Springs, Ark.
Said to be the most-attended outdoor drama in America, "The Great Passion Play" (www.greatpassionplay.com) is in its fifth decade of production. With a pastoral view of the Ozarks serving as a backdrop, the performance takes place in a 4,100-seat amphitheater with state-of-the-art sound and lighting effects, a 550-f00t-long stage and a cast that includes live animals and hundreds of actors. The 2011 season starts Friday May 6 and runs through the end of October. Overlooking the proceedings from a hilltop in the distance is the seven-story tall statue "Christ of the Ozarks," which is on the grounds of "The Great Passion Play" complex. Nearby Eureka Springs is a historic mountain resort town where you won't find malls, mega-discount stores or stoplights within the city limits. You will find buildings with ground-level entrances on multiple levels due to the extreme topography of the area and a downtown filled with boutique shops, art galleries, eateries and historic architecture. Eureka Springs has been listed in the popular travel guide "1,000 Places to See Before You Die."
Stay
1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa. One of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Historic Hotels of America," this grandiose structure is perched on a mountain crest overlooking Eureka Springs. Rates start at $129. 75 Prospect Ave. Eureka Springs. 877-342-9766, www.crescent-hotel.com.
Eat
Local Flavor Cafe. Chef-owned cafe with an eclectic menu in the heart of Eureka Springs serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Dinner entrees start at $9. 71 S. Main St., Eureka Springs. 479-253-9522, www.localflavorcafe.net.
Visitor info
Eureka Springs online visitors guide and trip planning resources: www.eurekasprings.org.
The Story of Jesus
Wauchula, Fla.
A large-scale production featuring live animals and elaborate stage sets, "The Story of Jesus" (www.storyofjesus.com) is a three-hour performance that touches on other periods in Jesus' life along with the passion. Wauchula is a small town surrounded by cow pastures and orange groves in south central Florida far off the beaten tourist path. The annual production of "The Story of Jesus" is one of the biggest events in the area, with a cast of 225 that features volunteers of all ages from nearly 40 churches. The arena and stage are covered, so rain does not hamper performances. Shows occur every Friday and Saturday evening at 7:30 between March 25 and April 23.
Stay
Being a small town outside the major Florida tourist areas, accommodations are limited in Wauchula. There is a Best Western in nearby Bowling Green. In town, Quilter's Inn is a five-room B&B in a 1920s-era Craftsman style house. Rates $99-$139. Book two nights and they'll give you a $25 rebate to help with rising gas costs. 106 S. Fourth Ave., Wauchula. 863-767-8989, www.thequiltersinn.com.
Eat
Giovanni's Main Street Kitchen. Cozy red-checker table cloth Italian cafe serving pasta and brick oven pizza. No alcohol is served, but feel free to bring your own bottle of Chianti. Entrees start at $8. 221 W. Main St., Wauchula. 863-767-5300.
Visitor info
Hardee County Chamber of Commerce. 863-773-6967, www.hardeecc.com.
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