Canadian Badlands Passion Play introduces three-dimensional sound

    On the eve of its 100th performance, the 2011 version of the Canadian Badlands Passion Play is celebrating a number of firsts.  1. The play has a new script based on the Gospel of John.  2. More than 200 actors and singers will appear on stage at one time. 3. The Jerusalem Wall has been expanded and upgraded to facilitate much needed wardrobe, rehearsal and dressing room space. 4. A living garden has been planted in the natural amphitheatre stage. 5. A seventh show has been added to the traditional six performances and a documentary is being filmed to chronicle the amazing transformation of the play.
    However, according to General Manager Vance Neudorf, the most compelling new addition this season is a state-of–the-art sound reinforcement system. “This year each audience member will clearly hear the actors, music and singing through speakers strategically hidden on the stage.  The sound reinforcement will make the audio clearer and richer without taking anything away from the acting and telling the life of Jesus Christ. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of our society, it is fitting that we have ‘re-invented’ ourselves and elevated our presentation to a new and unprecedented level.”
    “No matter where the action takes place on the 30-acre Passion Play stage, our innovative sound system will deliver exceptional audio to everyone in the audience, just as if they were seated right in front of the action,” explains Dave Harrison, a sound engineer with EK Sound (Calgary), the company that helped design and install the new sound system. Harrison added that approximately 20 actors and singers will be using wireless microphones. “It’s been a challenge to make it all work seamlessly, but I know audiences are going to be very impressed with the end result.”
     Composer Luke Ertman, the man charged with making the music and singing blend with the on-stage action and dialogue, concurs. “Like the script, all the music for this season is fresh and fully connected to the action taking place on stage. This year’s Passion Play music has strong influences from Africa, the Middle East and Europe. The new sound system will allow the richness of the music to permeate the story in an intimate and almost film-like manner. Audiences are in for a musical treat.”
     Word of the new enhancements to this year’s Passion Play is spreading quickly. “As of mid-June, we were ahead of last year’s sales. To date we have sold 7,000 tickets for our seven shows.  We are projecting that we will surpass last year’s record attendance of 12,000,” says Neudorf.
     The 2011 Canadian Badlands Passion Play will be staged July 15-24, 2011.
 
Friday July 15 - 6:00 PM                     
Saturday July 16 - 6:00 PM                    
Sunday July 17 - 3:00 PM
Thursday July 21 - 6:00 PM                      
Friday July 22 - 6:00 PM                           
Saturday July 23 - 3:00 PM
Sunday July 24 - 3:00 PM