Outdoor Drama – the Message of Easter
Mar 24th 2009ChloeLocal Attractions & Things to Do & What's Happening?
Every year for over thirty years in the small Eastern North Carolina community of Farm Life, not very far from Big Mill Bed and Breakfast, the folks of Piney Grove Baptist Church present an outdoor drama of the final days of the life of Jesus Christ.
The Message of Easter began as a vision of E.T. Taylor, a childhood friend of mine. It has grown and some nights thousands of folks attend, coming from all over.
E.T. was no novice to outdoor drama, having played Governor Eden in Blackbeard, Knight of the Black Flag, in historic Bath, N.C, a few moons ago in the seventies.
E.T. Taylor and Chloe
We sailed 10 miles on the Pamlico River to see E.T. in this performance; the return sail was under a gorgeous full moon.
In its first few years The Message of Easter was performed on the lawn. Now visitors enjoy the performances in a large outdoor theater that seats 3,000 folks with special lighting, surround sound and ample parking. And all this is offered at no charge.
Church members do it all: acting, set design, lighting, costumes, parking and everything in between. Some folks have never missed a performance.
Thirty years ago E.T. chose Jimmy Griffin to play Jesus, and Jimmy is still fulfilling that promise. Leslie Hardison is the only man to ever play Peter.
Billy Peel is a barber by trade; but every year for thirty years in the weeks before Easter he is Pontius Pilot. Billy was my first boyfriend: I was two, he was three. His wife Betty Jo is tired of hearing us talk about it; I don’t blame her. And for thirty years she has been Pilot’s wife.
Williamston is a small town, not unlike Mayberry, and I call many of the folks at Piney Grove, “Cousin.” Imagine for a moment that the good folks of Mayberry presented an outdoor drama. You can be sure they would be sincere, the drama would be first class and the community would be involved. That’s what happens in Farm Life in the weeks leading up to Easter. Everyone works together and works hard and everyone is welcome.
This year’s 2012 drama is the 33nd season for the Message of Easter. Performances will in Spanish on March 30. Performances in English are on March 31, and April 4-8, at 8 p.m. For information about the Message of Easter call 252-792-1342. Remember early spring can be chilly. If our Big Mill B&B guests attend the Easter drama, we send them off with cushions and blankets.
If you’ve ever attended an Easter season outdoor drama, do leave a comment below. I’d love to hear your stories.
Dedicated to the memory of E.T. Taylor, a friend to many.
5 Comments »
Butch Dougherty on 24 Mar 2009 at 8:20 pm #
Chloe,
There are plenty of my Williamston memories I try to forget, but your blogs remind me of the things that make me proud of being raised in a great community
Keep up the memories,
Butch
Chloe on 24 Mar 2009 at 10:02 pm #
thanks, Butch! I am having fun with this blog. How are you?
Chloe
betty perez on 12 Apr 2010 at 2:26 pm #
I believe Chet and I were with you on that night we sailed to Bath. It was a beautiful night and we went to the old cemetary that night by the light of the moon after the play.
Will stop by to see you one day soon. I know better than to wait to see you get by the Creek!
I saw Connie Buck on Easter and we started talking about you. She said, you and Jack were the only other cool people in B.C. besides Chet and me back then…. She remembered your sheep and your weaving and spinning. Why you're practically a legend here in Gilead.
Come visit us River Folks some time. We miss you!
Bett & Chet
NC outdoor Easter drama near Williamston draws April crowds | Things to do in Eastern North Carolina on 29 Mar 2011 at 8:09 am #
[...] The Message of Easter outdoor drama in the countryside of Williamston, NC is in its 32nd year [...]
Joy on 14 Apr 2011 at 7:47 pm #
When I was in the 5th grade I wasn't allowed to join the youth group at my church. You had to be in 7th grade. Even though my Mom and Dad were the youth leaders I wasn't allowed to attend the meetings or go on the retreats, except for when the youth group went to Farm Life for the outdoor drama. I went every year! I was there when everyone sat on the lawn. I remember thinking that Jimmy was a perfect Jesus. I was lucky enough to speak with him after the play one year. I asked him if it was hard to be Jesus. He said "yes but I get to experence what it was like for Jesus and all he went through for us and that brings me closer to God." Watching that play with my Mom and Dad every year at Easter is one of the best memories I have. My Mom past away four years ago. I now have three children of my own. I hope someday we can travel up to NC so our children can see one of the greatest reinactments of Jesus' crucifixtion and resurrection there is! Please relay to the church that each and every participant in the play is so appreciated!! I can't imagine the time put into this production. The outcome of their hard work is the gift of eternal life in heaven! I've seen a non believer who has just watch this drama and it is an awsome thing to see God at work. Thank you for all you do!!
Joy