Re-Enactments Of The Last Supper

DANBURY — Immanuel Lutheran Players will bring one of the world’s most recognizable paintings to life this month with three performances of The Last Supper Enactment. Cast members are from Newtown, Ansonia, Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, Naugatuck, New Fairfield, New Milford, Southbury, and Brewster, N.Y.

With original music by Joanne F. Spring of Danbury (who is also serving as musical director) and Carl Lindquist of Newtown, the Players will offer performances at Immanuel Lutheran School, at 35 Foster Street, on Sunday, April 4, at 4 pm; and Monday and Wednesday, April 5 and 7, at 7 pm. Admission is $5.

Directors are Diane Wardenburg and Mary Ann Weyer.

In 1495, at the end of the 15th Century, Leonardo da Vinci was commissioned to paint a mural on a wall of the monastery Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. His subject was The Last Supper. The painting depicts the moments immediately following Christ’s dramatic announcement to his disciples that “One of you will betray me.” It depicts the emotion and the question of “Who could it be?”

The Last Supper is one of the most dramatic episodes in the Gospel accounts of Christ’s life. Jesus and his disciples went to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. As he dined with them, he had a premonition of his imminent arrest and execution. He blessed the wine and bread, ate with his disciples and said to them: “Do this in remembrance of me.” The Last Supper has been recalled by Christian churches ever since through the sacrament of the Eucharist.

In 1995, Chaplin Andy Krey was stationed at the US Navel Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The base was at that time a camp for thousands of Haitian and Cuban refugees fleeing their homelands.

Holy Week was approaching and Chaplin Krey wanted the religious time to become meaningful again for the displaced refugees as well as the servicemen and women who were far from their homes. The Chaplin stuck upon the image of The Last Supper, and decided to bring the famous painting to life.

Born out of the refugee camps that Lenten season, The Last Supper Enactment has been performed around the world since then. This year Immanuel Lutheran Players will offer their third performance of the special production on Palm Sunday, and again on the Monday and Wednesday of Holy Week.

For reservations call 798-9444. Tickets can be reserved in advance or purchased at the door as available.