BransonMoGuide: The Promise

Infromation
Adult ticket:	$30.00
Child ticket:	$13.75
Location:	Off the Strip
Website:	The Promise

Description

A fast paced show-opening begins in the beginning with Creation, Adam and Eve, the prophets foretelling the birth of Jesus, the visit by the Angel Gabriel (flying across the stage, of course) to the Virgin Mary, the angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds and then the Nativity in all its glory. All of this takes place in the first six minutes of the show! The voice of Dow Escalante, the storyteller, booms with authority as he narrates and sings, “And There was Light”.

There are still familiar scenes and music from the earlier Branson production of The Promise. John the Baptist’s rendition of, “The Kingdom of Heaven is At Hand” and “One Voice”, is performed with great flare by Lloyd Holt. Jesus, portrayed by the talented Landon Rose, makes his entrance during this scene. From that point on, the story unfolds as Jesus calls his disciples, performs miracles and teaches that God is a God of love, grace and forgiveness.

Satan also plays a major role in the production. His appearance in the new Promise has been changed to a more cunning and sly fallen angel. Matthew Buffalo portrays this role in a way that is difficult to even describe. You’ll have to see the interaction between the characters of Jesus and Satan to fully understand the magnitude of their portrayal. And did I mention Satan’s costume? That alone is worth the price of a ticket.

The Second Act begins with the Triumphal Entry and depicts the events of the final days prior to the Crucifixion. The betrayal, arrest and trial of Jesus takes place through three simultaneous vignettes of Caiaphas and the Pharisees, Pilate, and Herod all sentencing Jesus to death. The sound of the crowd crying “Crucify Him!” and then very quickly seeing Christ hanging on the cross, draws varying degrees of emotion for those watching from the audience. The sadness is soon replaced with joy as the storyteller begins singing one of the most recognizable songs from The Promise, “Arise”. The resurrection takes place and the production concludes with Jesus at the Mount of Olives giving instructions to his followers and then, with all of them watching, he literally ascends from their view.