The Last Supper
The Last Supper (13 to 29 March, 2009) St Peter's Lutheran Church, 525 Broadway,
Newport, RI 1 (401) 835-8200 or
www.lastsupperri.org
The Last Supper, a musical enactment is the story of Leonardo da
Vinci's struggle to complete his famous mural is performed at St.
Peter's Lutheran Church in Newport. The music and vocal arrangements
are by Gary William Friedman with the book and lyrics by Thomas Mitz
and is based on an original concept by Andy Krey. The show is set in
the dining Hall of the monastery Santa Maria Delle Grazie, Italy
from 1495-97 and in the imagination of Leonardo da Vinci. Actors
portray Leonardo, Jesus, the twelve Apostles, an Angel and two
women, while singers express the meaning and emotion of the action
through song. Leonardo has been commissioned to create a mural of
The Last Supper, his first attempt at painting in ten years. He
fears he has lost his artistic vision by squandering his gifts. An
angel/muse inspires him to invoke the Apostles and ultimately the
Last Supper. As each Apostle comes to life and tells his story, the
story is the reflected through music in an uplifting contemporary
pop-gospel score. By discovering what each individual was thinking
and feeling at the moment of crisis, Leonardo confronts his own
betrayal and learns that through love and faith he can rediscover
the vision of divine inspiration and the purpose of life. The show
is a cleverly constructed with alternating scenes of music and
dialogue. The emotion packed show is excellently portrayed with
performers of all ages in these roles. The sold out crowd leapt to
its feet at the close of the show as the actors struck the famous
tableau of the painting. The show is dedicated to the memory of
Pamela Lancaster who was tragically killed in a plane crash in
Middletown last July 3.
Directed by John Moreau who also produced it with Terry Moreau.
He chose wonderful performers and molded them in their performances.
Veteran actor Ralph Stokes plays the huge role of Leonardo
excellently, delivering a long monologue about his painter's block
for the past ten years. He can't find a vision for this work so he
uses his imagination when he is inspired by a singing angel/muse who
takes him back to the actual Last Supper to see what life was all
about back then. He sits and watches as the Apostles enter the scene
while the choir sings the beautiful score. Ralph really delves into
his character giving it many levels to show his inner turmoil. The
twelve apostles are played beautifully by Leon Case (Matthew, the
tax collector), Matt Davis (Thaddeus, the physician), Mark Hill
(Simon, the soldier), John Loughlin (Philip, lifelong friend of
Bartholomew), Dave Wieselquist (Bartholomew) Richard Moore(Peter,
the loudmouth)* his wife, Lynda made all the authentic colorful
costumes for the show), John Moreau (Andrew, a fisherman & Peter's
brother) Frank Siniscalchi (Little James who feels his is not worthy
and has a wonderful crying scene) Walter Smothers (Thomas, the
scholar) the biggest scene stealer, 11 year old Matthew Vergun(John,
the youngest Apostle who tells the bossy Martha off in an hilarious
scene) ,Paul Vergun( James, the elder is John's brother and
is played by his real life father) and Kelly Williamson ( Judas, the
betrayer who makes his role come alive with his sarcastic and
caustic portrayal). The charismatic and ethereal Mark Rees plays
Jesus perfectly, causing the audience to gasp at his Christ-like
appearance. Wanda Silvia is Mary Magdalene and Lynn Swanson is
Martha who complains about keeping house for all the men, eliciting
many laughs especially when she threatens them with her broom. The
stories are vignettes between the emotionally draining songs and
they explain how each Apostle came to be followers of Jesus.
Frances Elayne Johnson is the music director and pianist for the
show. Patrice McKinley plays the Angel (with Elisabeth Vergun at
alternate shows) and her glorious voice sells all her songs to the
crowd especially "Visions" where she tells Leonardo to trust in God
for his talents, "All I Can Do is Love You" where she sings you are
the world I live in and "Didn't You Know" where she explains how
wonderful the words he exclaimed are!". Other songs are "Stand Like
a Rock", "God Has a Plan for Me", "How Deep is Your Gaze? the
rocking gospel number "How Beautiful Upon the Mountain" sung by
Jimmy Winters and "If It Were Easy?". The 75 minute show ends with
where is the love that has left us and the audience learns that it
is with Jesus. Bravo to the 13 member choir, too. The Angry Prior in
the show is well played by the Church's Rector, William
Bogholltz.The wonderful before the show dinner of Chicken or fish,
mashed potatoes, vegetable, salad and numerous desserts are by Wilma
Lyons and the ladies from St. Peter's. So for a sensational way to
celebrate the Lenten season, be sure to catch "The Last Supper". I
am sure it will become a yearly tradition in Newport as it well
should!
