Lighthouse Baptist Church Stages Easter Production

This is not your typical Easter play.

True, it is put on in a church on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. And yes, the cast and crew are pulled from the congregation. And it is written and co-directed by the pastor’s wife.

What sets this Easter play apart is the level of professionalism attached to all of the above.

Perhaps it is so polished — from the terrific and elaborate costumes to the sound effects to the musical interludes  to the effortless dialog — because this is the fifth year that Lighthouse Community Baptist Church has staged an Easter production.

Or perhaps it’s because members of the congregation are each bringing areas of expertise, from set construction to lighting to acting.

It is likely all of the above and more. Whatever the reasons, Lighthouse Baptist Church’s Easter production, The Revealing, is an enjoyable and well-done production.

There will be two performances on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday at 7 p.m. at Lighthouse Community Baptist Church, 22 Pequot Trail, Pawcatuck. The play is free and is open to the general public. 

“We have a lot of really talented people (in the congregation) who help us,” said Lori Jones, wife of Lighthouse pastor Ray Jones Jr.

Written by Lori, the play is a sequel of sorts to last year’s show, also written by her. That play, called The Healing, was told from the point of view of the women around Jesus at the time of his death.

The Revealing picks up as Jesus has died on the cross and focuses on a a Pharisee known as Nicodemus and his struggle to decide if he will align himself with Jesus.

They start work on the play about eight weeks before Easter.

“Easter, more than any other holiday, people really have a sense of God,” Lori said. “We want to offer something to draw the community and give them something to ponder. Easter is my favorite holiday; I feel like my own relationship with the Lord is deeper this time of year.”

The play is a lot of work for those involved, Ray Jones says. They undertake it every year as a community project because “it’s an expression of our faith. Drama is a unique way to communicate with people. They will get more out of a play than a sermon. It captures and humanizes the story.”