Parish Players to present Easter Classic

Grand Island Dispatch, April 6, 2007

“The Robe” will be performed April 20-22 at St. Stephen School on Baseline
Road. Shown in the photo are cast members: Lou Panzica (Demetrius);
Kevin Rustowicz (Tribune Marcellus); and Jeff Stone (director).

With a production combining live local theater, a classic and powerful story from the time of Christ, a familiar and talented cast and great food, the St. Stephen Parish Players will present “The Robe” this Easter season, on Friday, April 20, through Sunday, April 22. The production will be staged at St. Stephen School, 2080 Baseline Road.

The play tells the story of an exiled Roman tribune who is ordered to crucify a Galilean. Although he believes the man innocent, he obeys, and also tosses dice for the simple homespun robe the Galilean wore. Then he becomes a desperately troubled man, so that even though permitted to return to Rome, where his family and the woman he loves await, he is restless, obsessed with thoughts of the Galilean and the persecuted Christians. He turns more and more to the Galilean, but hesitates at accepting him as divine. Then, at last, in a final scene of tremendous redemption and power, he is forced to make a fateful decision between his emperor and his new-found faith.

Adapted by John McGreevey and directed by Islander Jeff Stone, the play is based on the best-selling novel by Lloyd C. Douglas and the Academy Award-winning movie of the same name. The show features a talented cast of more than 25 Islanders, including Kevin Rustowicz as the tribune; Lou Panzica as his faithful Greek slave; Linda Burkhart as the woman he loves; Jim Watz as his father – a Roman senator; Shawn Carey as Simon Peter; the Rev. Paul Nogaro as Pontius Pilate; Robert Priest as Emperor Tiberius; and the Rev. Mark Illig as Caligula.

Tickets can be obtained through the St. Stephen rectory (773-7647) or through Karen Conboy (773-7476 or 848-5038).

Friday’s performance includes a complimentary hors d’oeuvre buffet before the show. Saturday’s production includes a full sit-down Italian dinner with wine.