Arizona Easter Pageant: Jesus the Christ

What began in 1928 as a simple sunrise service atop a cotton wagon has grown to become the world's largest annual outdoor Easter Pageant.

With a cast and crew of over 800, Jesus the Christ is a reenactment of Jesus Christ's birth, ministry, death and Resurrection as told in the King James Version of the Bible. Families with children of all ages are more than welcome to attend. The Easter Pageant is a beautiful portrayal of Jesus Christ's Resurrection intended for all audiences.

The Easter Pageant is a free event to the public. Parking is free as well, although you will need to arrive early to park close. Spanish performances were on March 30 and 31. English performances will begin Tuesday, April 3 and end on Saturday, April 7.

All performances begin at 8 pm. Plan to arrive early as seats fill quickly. The Easter Pageant is located on the north lawn of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Mesa, Arizona Temple.

Many families bring picnics and blankets. Dress warmly for possible chilly evening temperatures.

A few changes will mark this year's Easter pageant. Aboard the 9,600 square-foot, four-story tall stage, new choreography and music has been added. Also added is the 6'4", 350-pound offensive lineman of the Arizona Cardinals. Taitusi "Duece" Lutui is the first professional athlete to be a part of the Easter Pageant. He will be noticeable as one of the large Roman soldiers.

For the first time in the history of the Easter Pageant, father and son will be portraying both the child and adult roles of Christ. Doug Shumway and his 7-month-old son Noah play in the Spanish performances while Robert Allen and his 13-year-old son Jacob will play in the English performances.

A bonus exhibit has been included with this year's Easter Pageant. Nine sculptures by artist Angela Johnson will be displayed inside the Temple's Visitors Center. Each sculpture depicts a biblical miracle of Jesus Christ. The exhibit is titled "The Healing Power of Jesus Christ". Johnson explains the exhibit as the moments when "hope, repentance and faith are met with tender love and divine power sufficient to cleanse any sin or heal the bruised, the brokenhearted or suffering soul".

The sculpture exhibit will remain at the Mesa Temple until April 16, and is available for viewing from 9 am to 9pm, every day except Sunday.

The LDS Mesa Temple is located at 525 E. Main Street in Mesa, Arizona. Directions and other information about the Easter Pageant can be found at http://www.easterpageant.org/index.html.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints web site can be accessed through http://www.lds.org.