James E. McGreevey
Governor

William D. Watley
Secretary of Commerce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Karen Wolfe - 609.292.2523

AMERICA’S OLDEST CONTINUOUS PASSION PLAY
IS PRESENTED IN UNION CITY

Trenton, N.J. (March 15, 2004)—The Park Theatre Performing Arts Center in Union City, presents the country’s oldest Passion Play (since 1915), one that reflects the cultural diversity of New Jersey’s Gateway Region. From March 20 through April 17, 2004, the fast-tempoed, mixed-media Passion Play, crafted for modern audiences, will be staged Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2 pm (except for Easter Sunday, April 11).

"The Passion Play is one of New Jersey’s unique attractions, drawing visitors from the tri-state area of New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and even as far away as Canada, says Nancy Byrne, executive director of the New Jersey Office of Travel & Tourism. "In fact, it has been hailed by the American Bus Association as one of the top 100 events in North America."

According to Father Kevin Ashe, the show’s producer since 1983, the Park Theatre’s production serves as a model for producing passion plays throughout the country to reflect America’s multi-culturalism, while remaining faithful to their sources – the four gospels.

“One of our most exciting performances, in 1987, featured an African American Jesus, which stimulated positive discussion all over the world,” says Father Ashe. "The Park Theatre version has been carefully crafted through collaboration with the American Bishop’s Conference for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs and the American Jewish Congress. This is an American living prayer of peace.”

Tickets are $23; group and school rates are available. A group package includes a luncheon cruise on the Hudson River prior to the play.

The 1,400-seat Moorish-style Park Theatre, built in 1931 and considered one of the state’s great theaters, is now independently run as a regional folk arts center by Father Ashe, who also mounts theatrical shows and exhibits that reflect one of the country’s most culturally diverse areas. One such exhibit, The Cultural Thread, chronicles the area’s history as “the Embroidery and Lace Capital of the World,” from the 1870s until the recent growth of off-shore production. Other programs are presented throughout the year.

For information and tickets to the Passion Play, contact the Park Theatre Performing Arts Center, 560 32nd Street, Union City, NJ 07087. Telephone 201-865-6980. The website www.passionplayusa.net also provides information on area hotels, restaurants and other area attractions.

For information and brochures on other New Jersey events and attractions, contact the New Jersey Office of Travel & Tourism at 800-VISITNJ (847-4865); or check the website at www.visitnj.org.

Editors Note: Passion Play discussions and history. May be found on the Park Theatre’s website www.passionplayusa.net