30th rendition of The Living Last Supper to be performed this weekend
Monona’s Living Faith United Methodist Church will present “The Living Last Supper” March 24 and 25, bringing to life the iconic Leonardo da Vinci painting that depicts the final meal Jesus shared with his apostles before his crucifixion. (Photos by Audrey Posten)
“What most of us feel is this is our opportunity every year for discipleship, an opportunity to share our faith with the community,” said Ric Benzing (center), who’s portrayed Jesus since 1992, but has been part of the cast since the production’s inception in 1989. He’s pictured here with Nathan Sandstrom (Peter), Scott Goltz (John), Greg Schiller (Thomas), Chris Hoffert (James the Elder) and Ed Klenk (Philip).
Denny Burton, who will again play Nathaniel, began participating in The Living Last Supper in 1998.
By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times
Monona’s Living Faith United Methodist Church will present its 30th rendition of “The Living Last Supper” this weekend, bringing to life the iconic Leonardo da Vinci mural painting that depicts the final meal Jesus shared with his apostles before his crucifixion.
The tradition was sparked by the church’s pastor at the time, Gary Dobbins, who’d seen it performed at a previous church.
“He thought it would be a good thing, and talked a bunch of guys into doing it,” recalled Ric Benzing, who’s the only original cast member still participating. He’s played Jesus since 1992.
Benzing said the production’s first year was fairly simple.
“It was just the program itself. We did not have the soloists or the cross scene, which we added a couple years later,” he explained. “It was pretty well received, so we decided to do it again.”
For five years early on, the group even took the show on the road, performing in Fredericksburg, Lansing, Dubuque and Oelwein, in addition to Monona.
Over 30 years, Benzing said the cast and crew has sought different ways to improve and expand upon The Living Last Supper. In it’s current form, the production begins with a table set in the front of the church. Kids in costumes set the table. Then, one by one, each of Jesus’ disciples comes out and, under the glare of a spotlight, gives a speech about himself and his relationship to Christ. They are all dressed the part, decked out in costumes created by women from the church.
“When Jesus comes out, he says the bit about it being the last meal together because one of you will betray me,” Benzing said. “This leads to the scene from the painting. That position is held while the congregation sings ‘Let Us Break Bread Together.’”
Then, Jesus speaks about how communion started, and the disciples serve communion to one another. The lights go down, then come back on Jesus, who, as Benzing described, gives his soliloquy, which includes the Beatitudes.
Next, the attention moves to Jesus on the cross, and the narrator speaks about it. A soloist sings the Lord’s Prayer and the disciples serve communion to the congregation. After that is completed, focus returns to the individual disciples, who provide more information about the events that occurred following the crucifixion. The Living Last Supper finishes with the light returning to the whole table and the attendees singing “Spirit of the Living God.” The whole production is an hour long.
“This gives people more of an understanding about each one of the disciples, who they were and how they related to Christ. Everyone is a little different, but they all came together,” Benzing said. “When you read the Bible, you don’t necessarily see all those things. It gives it a little more meaning.”
It’s also meaningful for the participants. Along with Benzing, there are several other long-tenured cast members. Todd Balekos has been involved since 1990, Denny Burton and Greg Schiller since 1998 and Chris Hoffert since 2000. Paul Foxwell had participated each year until this one, when knee surgery kept him from the table, Benzing said.
In all, over 100 people have taken part, serving in either the cast or crew.
“We’ve had people from a lot of different places,” Benzing remarked. “Not everyone is a member of our church. We’ve had Catholics and Lutherans. We’ve had people from the surrounding area, people from the Giard and McGregor churches.”
Since many of the participants have held the same parts for years, they know their own lines and actions well.
“Those of us who have been in it awhile can practically do everybody’s lines,” Benzing quipped. “We always have fun with it.
The fact that The Living Last Supper has continued for 30 years, that people keep attending, is great, said Benzing.
“What most of us feel is this is our opportunity every year for discipleship, an opportunity to share our faith with the community,” he stated. “We do it for the community, not just our church.”
This 30th rendition of The Living Last Supper will be performed at Living Faith United Methodist Church, in Monona, on Saturday and Sunday, March 24 and 25, at 7:30 p.m. each night.
