Audience moved to tears by Passion play

Kelly Todd was moved to tears Sunday while watching a play re-enacting the last stages of Jesus' life, which was remarkable, she said, because she couldn't understand any of the dialogue.

Todd was one of 300 spectators who came to Holy Family Catholic Church to watch volunteers put on a Spanish-language Passion play, a re-enactment of the trial, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

"The message transcends language," Todd said. "It was breathtaking to see performed live."

Fernando Gonzalez of Hilton Head Island decided to put on the play to give back to his community and church, he said.

It was a monumental undertaking, he added, that took about 60 cast and crew three months of rehearsal, four different sets and about $5,000 to put together. Gonzalez paid for about $2,000 himself; the rest came from donations, he said.

"It was absolutely worth it," he said after the hour-long play finished. "To see it all come together was huge and so moving."

Gonzalez said it was not his original intent to conduct the play in Spanish. He hoped to put on two shows, one in English and a second in Spanish, but received little response from non-Spanish speaking members of the church.

After coming off the stage Sunday, performers were greeted with hugs from audience members, some of whom were sobbing.

Jose Lopez, a 14-year-old Hilton Head Island Middle School student, portrayed Jesus. He said he was honored to play the part and hoped to perform in the play again.

Gonzalez hopes to keep the play going for years to come.

Next year, he wants to do both the English and Spanish versions.

"It's so important and powerful," Gonzalez said, "and we all need that in our lives."