This is the dramatic story of the death and resurrection of Jesus as seen through the eyes of Anthony, a Roman Centurion ordered to carry out his crucifixion. You will feel Anthony's struggle as he tries to make sense of who Jesus is and what that means for him personally. It is the question we all have to answer for ourselves. From the moment it all begins you will find yourself in the middle of the greatest story ever told.
A HUGE thank you to all those whose names do not appear in the program who donated time, services and resources to help make Bow the Knee a success!
Warning : Bow the Knee contains several scenes depicting violence that may be unsuitable for young children.
CastAnthony Rey Reynolds, James Taylor* Marcus Jason Parrish, Jordon Crider* Jesus Mark Dahl, Robert Lasco Eli Zach Phillips, Calen Bergren* Benjamin Ryan Richey Mary Kim Swenson, Kristi Holm Barabbas Alan Bohac Woman Macari McIntosh, Shelby McCombs Judas Karl Ronfeld, Matthew Harmon High Priest Steve Fleischmann, Dave Pemberton Pilate Alex Shkurinskiy Pilate's Wife Marina Shkurinskiy Young Jesus Keegan Shinners Thieves Matthew Harmon, Rafael Rodriguez, Koby Padilla, Logan Swenson Barabbas' Wife Tauni Hunter Young Mary Aislynn Gillock Joseph Caleb Gillock Nicodemus Art Ethridge Joseph of Arimathea Dave Pemberton Pilate's Servant Jacob Hansel, Aiden Candee Crowd Member Bryan Heriford Simon John Anderson, Dale Lindstrom Two Small Sons Reuben Kastine, Justice Woltersdorf, Michael Beshai, Forrest Mash Child Mikayla Meuler, Aveline Bafford, Jules Hansel, Henley Dold Dead Child's Father Dwight Hansel, Eric Anderson Dead Child's Mother Constance Hansel, Lindsay Peebles Shepherds Aiden Meuler, Justice Woltersdorf, Israel Woltersdorf Healed in the Crowd Regina Carpenter, Kathy Crider, Jacob Hansel Roman Soldiers Aaron Chumbley, Jordon Crider, Steve Davis, Gary Dupuy, Gregg Durmaz, Justin Ferguson, Jeremy Friedland, Dave Josephson, Josh Meuler, Kelly Shinners, Garren White Disciples Travyn Hansel, Jeremy Harmon, Matthew Harmon, Ken Harris, Clint Hartwig, Ben Kastine, Jason Lowe, Peter Lundahl, Josh Mash, Chris McCombs, JJ Monahan, John Pemberton, Karl Ronfeld, Jared Wallingford * denotes understudy The KidsAveline Bafford Aleah Bohac Michael Beshai Mariam Beshai Austyn Brester Avynlee Brester Meghan Chumbley Sheppard Dahl Henley Dold Jules Hansel Kaylen Hansel Isaac Kastine Reuben Kastine Lily Kryger Sequoia Little Forrest Mash Mikayla Meuler Henry Monahan Makenna Monahan Brooklyn Ritter Emmiline Shinners Keegan Shinners Paige Wilson Jemima Woltersdorf Justice Woltersdorf Order of Program+ Denotes dramatic action in the aisles. Please stay in your seat. Thank you.
JESUS, OUR SAVIOR IS BORN O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Jesus, Savior Friend (+ The Nativity, Herod's Order & Barabbas' Family) 12 Years Later... THE BOY, JESUS Call to Worship Beautiful Hands 20 Years Later... (+ Barabbas Arrested) THE MINISTRY OF JESUS One Day Every Knee Shall Bow (+ The Conflict) Miracle Man Bow the Knee (+ The Accusers) When I Fall Down + Prepare the Way (The Last Supper, Judas Betrays Jesus, + The Garden) So All Alone (+ Arrested) They Cried Crucify (+ The Trial) INTERMISSION THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS + Watch the Lamb Alas and Did My Savior Bleed Bow the Knee More Than Just A Man (The Burial) Beautiful Hands THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS + Arise My Love (Epilogue) + Finale : One Day Every Knee Shall Bow |
The Crowd
Tech CrewDirector James Taylor Assistant Director Meredith Taylor Producer Cassie Harbold Assistant Producer Amanda Holm Choir Director Bonnie Irwin Sound Engineers Cory Maus, Jim Best, Sean Candee, Alaina Candee, Logan Maus, Brian Millett Lighting Rob Marx Voiceovers Daniel Ketchum Stage Hands Janna Bestul, Tricia Clemons, Jessie Dutton, Tom Hunter, Sarah Kryger, Scot Lubbers, Denise Marx, Sophie Parrish, Colleen Souders, Jim Souders Set Build Team Jim Hestand & Crew Set Design / Props Tricia Clemons, Kristi Holm, Colleen Souders, Kim Swenson, Meredith Taylor, Liz Valentine Cast Make-up Kristi Holm, Annette Anderson, Amity Candee, Allison Friedland, Jennifer Gage, Abbie Heriford, Summer Heriford, Amanda Holm, Bobbi Mash, Danielle Meuler Choir Make-up Kim Swenson & Crew Soldier Costumes Terry & René Mash Costumes Jennifer Dahl, Connie Ethridge, Virginia Entenman, Jessica Holtman, Linda Phemister, Gini Roskam Kids Crew Marci Bohac, Mindy Chumbley, Michelle Kastine, Jolene McCombs, Jill Williamson Tickets Denise Marx & Crew Usher / Greeter Gary Rightenour & Crew Meals Brenda Harmon & Crew Terms & DefinitionsIn Bow the Knee the song, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, based on Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:32, is being sung by Mary as she is expecting Baby Jesus. She is rolling lengths of cloth that were customarily used to both swaddle infants in and to wrap the bodies of the dead for burial. It is symbolic of both the birth and death of Jesus.
In this scene the character, Barabbas, references the Sicarii. The Sicarii were a splinter group of the Jewish Zealots who, in the decades preceding Jerusalem's destruction in 70 CE, heavily opposed the Roman occupation of Judea and attempted to expel them and their sympathizers from the area. The Sicarii carried sicae, or small daggers, concealed in their cloaks. At public gatherings, they pulled out these daggers to attack Romans and Hebrew Roman sympathizers alike, blending into the crowd after the deed to escape detection.
Bow the Knee is a drama that combines both historically accurate characters and events with some added for the story. While the stories surrounding Anthony, Marcus, Eli, Barabbas and others contain dramatic creativity, the story, message and truth of Jesus is biblically foundational.
Bow the Knee is written by Chris Machen & Richard Kingsmore. Produced with special arrangements of Lillenas Publishing Company. From the DirectorIt has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to direct Bow the Knee for the past 20 years. I have watched an entire generation of kids grow into young adults taking lead roles in the Cast, Choir and Crew. For them, Easter has revolved around Bow the Knee. I have brothers and sisters in the faith who have journeyed with me, some of them from year one. Tens of thousands of people have seen the story of Jesus through Bow the Knee. Thousands of people have made first time decisions to follow Jesus, recommit their lives, and find church families because of Bow the Knee. It is truly a unique, multigenerational ministry. To all of you who have participated in Bow the Knee over the last 20 years, thank you. You have poured your lives, time, talent, energies and resources into it and have made a difference in people's lives. Well done! To my leadership crew, I marvel at your talents, work ethic and dedication to something that at times has come at great personal sacrifice. You are ministry giants! To my wife and family who have been with me every step of the way: I have no adequate words to express my love, gratitude and admiration. It has truly been a family effort for the whole journey. I am truly blessed. As I have said every year, we are just ordinary people, sometimes painfully so, that God is using in an extraordinary way. We all need truth, grace and forgiveness. Let's always extend that to each other. James Taylor, BTK Director |