BRANSON, Missouri – It would be difficult for a stage play to have more impact than the production of Jesus here at Sight & Sound Theatre.

The public ministry of Jesus Christ, His miracles, His relationships, His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection are dramatically portrayed as only Sight & Sound can.

Even though much of the audience was familiar with the story of Jesus as set out in the Gospels, seeing it portrayed so vividly has a great impact.

The production of Jesus included the calming of the Sea of Galilee, raising Lazarus from the dead, the cleansing of the Temple, the agony of the Garden of Gethsemane, a gut-wrenching depiction of the cross, the joy of the resurrection of Jesus, the discovery of the empty tomb and the empowerment of the Day of Pentecost.

But this show explored the relationships that Jesus had with his Disciples and His other followers. The show takes some poetic license but much of the dialog is straight from the Bible and there are not parts that contradict Scripture.

Audience members from all over the nation (I spoke with a couple from Louisiana and Minnesota) sit in awe. It would be difficult to be offended on a doctrinal basis because the show is straight from the Bible.

This is a musical but the music seems secondary to the message of the arrival and ministry of the Messiah. All the singers are very talented. It would hard not to get emotional during the singing of The Lord’s Prayer.

The set design is spectacular. Movement of the set is seamless and precise. Like most Sight & Sound shows, live animals – horses, pigs, donkeys, camels, doves, llamas and sheep – are all part of the act. At times, the animals exit the stage into the audience for a great effect.

Jesus features 2,400 costumes pieces, 7,644 yards of fabric,

At the end of the show, the audience is invited to trust Christ. Counselors are available for anyone who has questions. It’s not a hard sell – it doesn’t have to be because the show does all the work.

This would be a great trip for a Sunday School group, a youth group, a family or just friends. If someone was on the fence about Jesus, this might be the perfect venue to start a conversation about reconciling with God.

Sight & Sound Theatre, with theatres in Branson and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was founded by the Eschelman family (Glenn and Shirley Eschelman) in 1972. Each production literally takes years to put together (up to 42 months) and that quality is evident.

In 2022, Branson will present Jesus and the Miracle of Christmas. Queen Esther is scheduled for 2023. In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, David is presented this year and Moses and the Miracle of Christmas is coming in 2023.

Previously, the shows have included Noah – The Musical, Joseph, Jonah, Moses ­ and Samson.

The show is about two hours and 20 minutes long with a 20-minute intermission. The magnificent theatre is at 1001 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway – conveniently one mile off the Strip in Branson. Parking is free.

It is a wonderful experience to see the life of Christ played out in such an authentic and dramatic play. And it is great to look around the audience and so many people who love Jesus and who appreciate the message and the messengers.

This summer, the show’s schedule through September is:

  • Sunday – closed
  • Monday – closed
  • Tuesday – shows at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday – shows at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday – only 3:30 p.m.
  • Friday – shows at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday – shows at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The theater is closed the week of August 21 and reopens on Tuesday, August 30 (with one 7:30 p.m. show).

The run in Branson ends on October 8 (with two shows at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.)

Tickets cost between $56-$59 for adults and $26 for children (ages 3-12). They recommend children ages 5 and up attend and they have a Family Room if the kids need a break during the show.

The website is www.sight-sound.com and a contact number is 800-377-1277