'Upon this Rock,' a play that shared Easter story for decades, comes to an end

Members from about 70 local churches came together this spring like they have over the last four decades to perform "Upon this Rock," a dramatic retelling of the Easter story.

But there was something special about this year: The 40th annual production that wrapped up this weekend will be the last. Even in rehearsals, the passion is felt –– for the story, for each other, and for the future.

What started as an Easter play –– adapted from the Bible story of the life, death, burial and resurrection of Christ ––for the church family at Grace Apostolic Church, the Passion Play has evolved to become an entity unto its own. Soliloquys and dance numbers have been added; scenes have changed; but most importantly, the play has become an annual event that every year includes more and more churches from all over Indianapolis. Different denominations have included Presbyterian, Episcopal, Catholic, Pentecostal, Methodist, and Baptist.

Sharon Thompson-Hill has been a show director for 40 years, working closely with her brother, Pastor A. Thomas Hill, and countless others. Thompson-Hill, one of the project founders, says the title comes from a Sandi Patty song with the same name. As the production’s reach grew, she says it was evident that the particular church or denomination participants and audiences come from does not matter.

“When we get to heaven, there’s not going to be any churches, denominations," Thompson-Hill says. "It’s just going to be the Kingdom. So that is really our mission.”

With such a successful and fulfilling run, Thompson-Hill knows people may ask why it is ending.

She turns to the Bible –– Ecclesiastes 3:1 –– for her answer: To everything there is a season, she paraphrases, and a purpose for everything under the sun. A time to be born, a time to die.

Thompson-Hill says this is the "season" for the end of "Upon this Rock." She turns 70 next year and believes it is time. She remembers the generations integral in the making and presenting of the play. Her mom was in the show at the beginning and is now deceased. Her daughter was 5 when the show started, and now she has children of her own.

“The generations have come to make this what it is,” she says, adding some of the participants this year weren’t even born when the show started.

Thompson-Hill said the friendships and relationships she has built along the way have been the greatest gift.

Emotions and devotion were strong as the production moved toward it's swan song, even during the rehearsals.

Tears fell down Carlin Hill's face as he recited lines as Jesus in his last hours.

Gina Nelson, who plays Pontius Pilate’s wife and an angel singing to Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, is emotive as she watches dancers perform a special presentation during one of the last rehearsals. She says she is overcome as she sees the glory of God in the performers. Watching the them makes her think of all the things she has gone through in her life, remembering the trials she says God has brought her through.

“When we just get a glimpse, just a piece of his glory,” she says with an introspective smile, “praise just comes forth. It just evokes praise and worship and honor.”

As an angel singing a soulful song to Jesus on angel in the garden of gethsemane, Nelson admits she can hardly make it through the the performance of “Don’t Cry for Me.” She fills with the emotion of the moment as sings just to Jesus. Nelson explains it's because he knows what he has to face, undeservedly, as he is sacrificed for all of us.

It’s been a wonderful journey, says Nelson, who has been involved with "Upon this Rock" for 31 years. She adds knowing this is the final year makes things bittersweet and hard.

“I can’t imagine a year without doing it, preparing for it, longing for it, waiting for it  to get here,” she says. “We shall see what the lord has in store.”

As the long-time participants in "Upon this Rock" come together with the younger singers, dancers and orators, they too think about what is coming next.  Being a part of the annual celebration of Easter is a blessing, says Assistant Costume Director Freida Quarles, who retired after 27 years in 2017 –– then came back when the main costume director had to leave for a job.

“This is the final call, but it’s not the final call for me," Quarles says. "For whatever they need, I will always be there for them.”

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: It started with one church; now up to 70 tell the Easter story