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Jairus Jairus is a musical story about the Biblical character of the same name and his relationships with family, friends and God. No historical figure has ever created more controversy than Jesus. Throughout his words and actions he challenged the Jewish community. Many in the religious establishment could not reconcile their beliefs with Jesus' claims. Some leaders, like Jairus, were forced to publicly defend traditions that had been maintained for centuries, while privately questioning their assumptions. Higher level leaders, like Caiaphas, saw Jesus as a threat to their power and worked to discredit him. Some in the Jewish community had a political agenda. The radical Zealots, represented by the character Cleopas, were motivated by a hatred for the Romans, whom they viewed as foreign occupiers in a land that rightfully belonged to the Jewish nation. Still others were confused by Jesus' offer of a new life in God's Kingdom, while a small number of people accepted him as the promised Messiah predicted in Scriptures. Whatever their response to Jesus, no one simply walked away from him unaffected. This production is based upon the story of Jairus as told in the New Testament (Luke 8) as well as other events that occurred in the city of Capernaum. Some details and characters have been imagined in order to bring the story to life but there has been no alteration of the known facts. The Bible tells us that Jairus was a real person who lived at the time of Jesus. A very devout man, he was a religious leader in the Jewish town of Capernaum and whilst he wasn't a Rabbi, he had a great deal of influence in the local synagogue. He held a regular job, although the Bible doesn't say what that was. This production envisages him as a dyer of cloth, his current colour being "Cerulean Blue".
The production was given with the kind permission of
Willow Creek Community Church
and was directed by Catherine Enticknap
who this time was ably supported by Marea Brennan-Thorns.
The mission of Willow Creek is to reach the indifferent and turn them into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ and make them feel good about themselves. Willow Creek Community Church began in 1975 in a rented theatre, with an unpaid staff, borrowed equipment and a vision for reaching unchurched people. The Willow Creek Theatre had been redesigned for people who did not go to church because of indifference or suspicion. The first gathering numbered 125 people. With a list of the "unchurched" they reached out to a large segment of people who did not go to church or "do church". Today, some 20,000 people attend the midweek and Sunday services of the willow Creek Church. The services are unlike all other church services on American soil. The well lighted and spacious auditorium with glass ceilings looks like a plush theatre with wide aisles. The luxurious furnishings attract those who are uncomfortable in traditional churches. As the people file into the auditorium for the weekend "seeker services" a band plays subdued contemporary jazz or rock. The worship service begins with the drawing of curtains across a huge stage while the tempo of the lively upbeat music gradually engages the audience. "The half hour long sermon, often emphasizing how faith is useful in everyday life, is structured around current events and themes that dominate the typical suburban lifestyle ......"
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