By Eliza Een
How often do you think about the Roman Empire? For the cast of Through the Eyes of a Leper at the Angelus Theater in Spanish Fork, Utah, it’s been on their mind a lot. Leper tells the Bible story of Easter and covers several events from the life of Jesus Christ but it does so from the perspective of the Roman centurion Annaeus and his family. The show is a labor of love for writer and composer Eda Mathis, who has dedicated a decade to bringing this show into being, and for director Tiffany Brockbank Ellis, whose vision and execution unify the production. I found it very apt that the show started with a humble prayer given by the director and echoed in the hearts of the cast members that the worshipful production would honor the events that it attempts to portray. This loving, careful attention was evident throughout the play.
While it starts with a peaceful choral number, the play’s main conflict unfolds soon thereafter. Annaeus (Jordan Hendrickson) is an ambitious soldier striving for the title and honor of Tribunus Laticlavius, but his jealous coworker Modius (Garr Van Orden) continuously plots to undercut him and take the title for himself. Van Orden is the kind of villain you love to hate, which helps the plot move forward and gives the audience someone to root against as most of the other characters go through faith-centric character arcs.
As duty calls the Roman coworkers to Jerusalem, Annaeus brings his family along. His wife, Aeliana (Brooke Hunter), and their children stay with her parents as Annaeus follows orders from Pontius Pilate (Josh Taylor) to keep the peace. Aeliana’s mother Avia (Susan Record) is excited to bring her daughter to a sermon given by Jesus Christ (Jade Higley). As they see healings and the miracle of the loaves and fishes, Aeliana begins to grow her own faith. Hunter’s Aeliana is sweet and loving throughout, and the song she sings while her daughter sits on the knee of the Savior is especially moving. Higley fills the sandals of the intimidating role with such gentle goodness, and it is so touching to see him interact with the other characters. His performance is strengthened by his calm demeanor and deep, soothing voice.
Among the miracles shown is the healing of the 10 lepers, where Elizabeth Williams (Benjamin, Mary) portrays the one who turned back to give thanks. Williams carries a warm sincerity to her role, and continues to spread thanks and hope throughout the show.
Hendrickson transforms as his character Annaeus goes from a hotshot Roman leader ready to disband Jesus’ followers to a leper and social outcast. This physical challenge in the last act of the show gives the audience a clearer insight into each character’s relationship with Annaeus, especially his family. Hunter plays the devoted and hopeful wife, continuing to reach out and staying strong in her faith. The children, Livia (Sophia Mathis), Atarah (Audrey Record), and Arrius (Alexander Stetter), each show their concern for their father in different ways, and are brought to find comfort in the embrace of Jesus. They have true-to-life family interactions with each other that brought a smile to my face.
The story comes full circle as Williams’s character meets Annaeus on the road and tries to help him find Jesus to be healed. After Annaeus’ touching miracle of healing, Jesus continues on to Gethsemane, and Modius, who has usurped Annaeus’ coveted position, comes to take Jesus away. The rest of the traditional events of Easter are alluded to through a storm sequence.
The musical ends with the cast singing a version of “I Know that My Redeemer Lives,” a touching moment that reflects the faith journey of the characters throughout the show, and it brings closure without showing the Resurrection onstage. For Christians at Easter time, this was a lovely way to look at the story of Christ through a new perspective, and clearly a blessing to the cast.
Eda Mathis presents: Through the Eyes of a Leper by Eda Mathis
165 N Main Street Spanish Fork, UT 84660
March 27-28, 7:30 PM, March 30, 2024, 2:00 PM, 7:00 PM
Tickets: $10-16, https://cobbcotheater.square.site/ttel#PUYbNT
Contact: cobbcotheaterproductions@gmail.comC&C Facebook Page ; Through the Eyes of a Leper Facebook Event Cobb&Co website
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