More Than a Performance: A Palm Sunday Experience at the Orpheum
Orpheum Theatre, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, March 29, 2026
The Passion and The Cross
On Palm Sunday, I had the opportunity to attend The Passion and The Cross, presented by Lights Up Productions at the Orpheum Theatre. It’s a production that blends community theater with a deeply spiritual message and one that, even before the first note is sung, signals it aims to be more than just a performance.
For those unable to attend in person, the production also offers a digital streaming option for purchase, expanding access beyond Sioux Falls and making the experience available to a wider audience.
A Familiar Story, Powerfully Retold
At its core, the production recounts the story of Jesus Christ, told through music and staged dramatization. While the narrative is widely known, the execution that is driven by a cast of local volunteer performers, adds a striking level of emotional depth.
There’s a sincerity to the performances that elevates the material. Several moments drew visible emotion from the audience, myself included, as the combination of music, staging, and conviction created something that felt both artistic and personal.
Act I: Miracles and a Childlike Faith
The first act focuses on the earlier ministry of Jesus, highlighting well-known moments such as the feeding of the 5,000 and miraculous healings. Yet the most memorable element of this portion comes from the production’s use of children.
With what appeared to be more than 50 children on stage, their presence becomes central. Not just visually, but thematically. As they sing and interact within the story, they underscore the message of approaching faith with childlike humility. It’s a creative choice that lands with surprising weight, producing moments that genuinely gave me goosebumps.
The act closes with the triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Audience members, myself included, were handed palm leaves before the show. An intentional detail that transforms spectators into participants. As the cast filled the stage, the visual and musical crescendo captured the significance of the moment, even without elaborate props.
Act II: From Supper to Sacrifice
Following intermission, the tone shifts immediately with the depiction of the Last Supper. From there, the pacing accelerates as the story moves toward its inevitable conclusion.
Lighting plays a crucial role in this act, contrasting the darkness surrounding the religious authorities with the radiant imagery of angelic figures. It’s an impressive technical achievement, particularly given the scale of the venue, and it reinforces the sense that this is a production driven by purpose as much as performance.
The Crucifixion: Unflinching and Impactful
The crucifixion sequence stands as the emotional and spiritual centerpiece of the production. It does not shy away from the brutality of the moment, drawing comparisons to The Passion of the Christ in its intensity.
From the haunting performance of “Mary’s Cry” during the flogging to the collective anguish of the chorus as the cross is raised, the scene is difficult to watch but intentionally so. It’s designed not just to depict suffering, but to confront the audience with it.
And then, a tonal shift. The tomb appears. Three dancers portraying angels deliver a choreographed routine that builds to the resurrection, culminating in Jesus stepping forward as the audience erupted in applause and praise. It’s a moment of release, both emotionally and spiritually.
Beyond the Curtain Call
What sets this production apart is how it ends. Instead of a traditional curtain call, the evening closes with prayer and an altar call. It’s a reminder that, for Lights Up Productions, the goal isn’t applause. It’s impact.
That distinction defines the entire experience. While the production succeeds as theater, it is ultimately intended as a ministry to draw people to Christ.
Afterglow
For those considering attending, there are still a handful of performances remaining before Easter Sunday, along with the streaming option for purchase for remote viewing. Notably, the production team also announced during the final moments that 2027 will mark the final run of The Passion and The Cross in its current form.
From my perspective, this is more than a recommendation. It’s a pleading. Whether experienced in person or online, the production offers something that extends beyond entertainment. It’s immersive, emotionally resonant, and, at times, deeply convicting.
If the opportunity presents itself, it’s worth taking and hope that everyone reading this would experience it, and God, this Easter Season.
