A Twist on the Easter Pageant: Stow Residents in Corpus Christi Production
Two Stow residents to perform in controversial play.
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Two Stow residents will perform in the provocative play Corpus Christi written by Terrance McNally and produced by Akron’s Heads Up Productions.
The play, which will be performed April 21 through April 23 at First Grace United Church of Christ in Akron, is a contemporary retelling of the Christian gospels. Set in modern-day Texas, the play has created controversy everywhere it has been performed because of its inclusion of homosexuality as part of the Christian tradition.
Stow resident TJ Jozsa is one of the creators of Heads Up Productions and is part of the play’s ensemble. After graduating from Stow-Munroe Falls High School, he went on to perform in productions like You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, A Christmas Carol, The Laramie Project, Eurydice, and 1,000 Hills. He has also produced For Colored Girls ... and A Woman Called Truth. Jozsa is a political science and pre-law major at the University of Mount Union.
Nici Romo, also a Stow resident, has performed in The Laramie Project and 1,000 Hills for Heads Up Productions and was in Working for the Stow Players and Zombie Prom for Aurora Community Theater. She is the mother of three children and is a theater major at The University of Akron. She will also be part of the ensemble.
First Grace United Church of Christ is located at 350 South Portage Path, Akron. All performances take place at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door, by calling 330-990-5138 or by clicking here.
Ed Kent
10:37 am on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
So, will we see any articles on historically accurate true Passion plays being performed in Stow? This article is something I'd expect to read in Scene. And yes, I'm familiar with the play and the playwright beyond what is written here. Just saying...
Joe Fabeetz
1:54 pm on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
I like Scene.... what do you mean by this comment? I don't get what you are "just saying"
Ed Kent
3:49 pm on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
I didn't say anything bad about Scene. It knows it's readers and when it does have articles, comments or cartoons on Christianity it usually follows a more controversial and some might say mocking slant. It rarely would promote an actual Passion play or true Easter musical, but throw in a 'Jesus' or 'disciples' depicted as practicing homosexuals and Scene will do a story on it. I'm not saying they shouldn't, but I would hope StowPatch knows it's readers aren't the more abundant 'alternative' (of all persuasions) readers like that of Scene. Surely, StowPatch readers are more of a mixture. Just some balance to keep in mind. Not that this article isn't interesting, but let's see some more information about some mainstream Easter celebrations too. BTW, I have friends who are not hetrosexual, but when they accepted Christ's love and salvation they are no longer in sin and like all must do, they walk as He walked. The Bible says Jesus was tempted in all ways, yet did not sin. Being tempted and acting upon that temptation are two different things. I understand the message this particular play tries to get out and want others to realize I'm not prejudice. But, a true message of Easter also includes the sin-free life Jesus lived. Forgiveness, love and living a new life without the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21) is possible because of Easter.
Amanda Harnocz
12:01 pm on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Ed do you know of any? We'd be happy to try and cover it.
Ed Kent
1:51 pm on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Unfortunately, my Stow Sentry paper wasn't rubber-banded this past weekend and blew all over the place before I could get to it. They usually have a list of area Holy Week special events.
Here are just a few special Easter events I googled that are also in the Akron area.
Tetélestai - Musical Passion Play
Thursday, Apr 21 8:00p to 10:30p
at Fairlawn West United Church of Christ, Akron, OH
The musical passion play Tetélestai will be performed at Fairlawn West United Church of Christ during Holy Week: Thursday, April 21st and Good Friday, April 22nd.
Admission is free with donations accepted.
A great way to prepare for the joy of Easter! Interdenominational.
Price: Free and open to the public.
Phone: (440) 944-0635
Age Suitability: All Ages
Special Easter Concert
Sunday, Apr 24 7:00p
at Grace Cathedral 2700 State Rd. Cuyahoga Falls, OH
The gospel concert features a wide variety of musical styles and groups to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and will be performed at Grace Cathedral on Easter night: Sunday, April 24th
Admission is free.
A great way to celebrate Easter! Interdenominational.
Price: Free and open to the public.
Phone: (330) 922- 4673
Age Suitability: All Ages
I'm sure there are more. The best Passion play I've seen, which was almost too realistic, was at Grace Cathedral years ago, but I see they've been having an annual Easter concert which I heard was quite good. Some of the musical artists are also from Stow.
Amanda Harnocz
2:29 pm on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
A friendly reminder about our terms of use — users must use real first and last names. Thank you: http://stow.patch.com/terms
Ed Kent
2:42 pm on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
I forgot. I added last name to profile.
Amanda Harnocz
2:43 pm on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Thanks Ed Kent, and thank you for participating on the site.
Jenna Bates
5:03 pm on Friday, April 22, 2011
Ed, also keep in mind that one of the primary reasons this came to my attention is because two Stow residents are involved.
Jill A. Smith
10:15 am on Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Amanda & Jenna, If there was coverage of Holy Week events taking place in Stow, I missed it. Like Mr. Kent, I saw plenty of coverage of this play, taking place in Akron, but nothing happening in the community. As a pastor, I know that I can submit information, but it would have been nice for Stow Patch to cover the community events. I got a call late on Friday asking what we were doing for Easter. The community Good Friday service had been over for hours at that point. I appreciate the coverage you do and really enjoy getting daily updates of what is happening in Stow. Keep up the good work.
Pastor Jill
PS The Stow National Day of Prayer service is being held on Thursday, May 5 at 7:15am at Stow Glen Birch Hall. It is sponsored by the Stow-Munroe Falls Christian Minister's Association and the Stow-Munroe Falls Kiwanis. Please contact me if you would like more info.
Amanda Harnocz
10:29 am on Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Hi Jill, thanks for your comment. We did post services for Saturday and Sunday. We dropped the ball on Good Friday celebrations. Thanks for letting us know about the National Day of Prayer service! I'll have a freelancer contact you soon!