The Book of Esther is the story of a beautiful Jewish girl named Hadassah who becomes the wife of Ahasuerus, the Persian king Xerxes I, and is renamed Esther. Her religious identity is hidden, making her life at court precarious, and inexorably leads to her being called upon to save her people from total annihilation.
Esther’s journey to the Persian Court is circuitous and a source of wonder She is an orphan, raised by her cousin Mordecai, who has remained in Persia although many Jewish people returned to Judah. As a person who stays she is an immigrant. After Queen Vashti refuses to obey the king he seeks to replace her by rounding up the empire’s most beautiful women and placing them in captive training to become a courtesan or queen. Esther is forced into the harem. Ultimately she is chosen to become queen.
Haman, the king’s most trusted advisor, plots to exterminate all the Jews. Esther is asked by Mordecai to speak for her people to the king at risk of exposure and death. She chooses to save her people and thereby becomes a true heroine. The narrative’s individual events advance the story and culminate in the salvation of the Jews and the revelation that divine purpose is a constant in our lives.
Lancaster’s Sight & Sound Theater premiered its newest, original, production in March 2021. The creation of Queen Esther entailed more than three years of development to bring the pages of the Bible to the stage through use of magnificent costumes, intricate lighting, music and dance, live animals and stunning settings. The Persian city of Susa is brought to life using an 11,000 square foot, wrap-around stage, providing a spectacular immersive theatrical experience. www.facebook.com/Queen-Esther-at-the-Sight-Sound-Theatre
Glenn and Shirley Eshelman, founders of the Sight & Sound Theaters in Lancaster, PA and Branson, MO, started presenting biblical programs in 1970. In 1970 they presented their initial large-scale production. In 2008 a second venue, Sight & Sound opened in Branson, MO. The existing Sight & Sound Theater is one of the country’s top live theater destinations and Lancaster County’s #1 attraction.
The story of Esther is a perfect story with which to begin live productions again. It is a story of love, morality, perseverance and courage in the face of adversity. It is a 2,400-year old story that resonates in our time. Tickets are available until December 23, 2021. www.sight-sound.com
A live broadcast of “Jesus” is available Easter Weekend Only, April 2, 2021, 7 PM. Access is available with a Season Pass or Pay-Per-View. Encores will be shown Saturday and Sunday. Sight –Sound.tv
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