The Last Supper
On Holy Thursday, the Paoli United Methodist Church presented the Last Supper as a play.


Eric Harmon introduced the play and provided some information about Leonardo da Vinci's mural painting from the 1490s. He also related the painting and the story of the Last Supper to The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

The play opened in an upper room, with a table set for dinner. The disciples then entered, took their seats, and told the audience what the Bible says about their characters.















Cast | |
Jesus | Darek Newkirk |
Peter | Jim Bowen |
Andrew | Darrell Newkirk |
James | Aaron Hannon |
John | Mike Benham |
Philip | Howard Detweiler |
Bartholomew | Casey Brewster |
Thomas | Jerry Stroud |
Matthew | David Foster |
James the Lesser | Willie Bosley |
Thaddeus | Frank Barnett |
Simon the Zealot | Jim Faulkner |
Judas | Billy Vincent |
Alternate / Stage Manager |
Jr. McBride |
Narration |
Eric Harmon |
Costumes |
Annabelle Rominger |
Rachel Bowen |
Mary Alice Radcliff |
Karen Coulter |
Brenda Fisher |
Lighting |
Youth Group Paoli United Methodist Church |
Stage Design |
Darlene McBride |
Dee Ann Harmon |
Jim Faulkner |

Darrell Newkirk as Andrew. The Greek name Andreia was common among the people of Judea, and no Hebrew or Aramaic name is recorded for him. He is said to have been martyred on an X-shaped cross, the basis of the flag of Scotland.

Jim Bowen as Peter, one of the first disciples called by Jesus. A bold man, eyewitness to many of Jesus' miracles, his name was Simon but Jesus called him Petros, "The Rock", for which we English speakers say Peter.

David Foster as Matthew. Matthew could write as he was a tax collector before following Jesus. He became the first man to present to the world, in the Hebrew language, an account of the teaching of Jesus.

Frank Barnett as Thaddeus, also known as Judas Thaddaeus. He and Bartholomew are credited with bringing Christianity to Armenia, which in the year 301 became the first nation to accept Christianity as a state religion.

Aaron Hannon as James. James and his brother John were known as the "sons of thunder." They had been fishermen, called by Jesus to become "fishers of men".

Mike Benham as John, "the beloved disciple". He was the only one of the disciples to remain at the foot of the cross on Calvary. Tradition says that he outlived the other disciples and was the only one to die a natural death.

Billy Vincent as Judas, the betrayer. The son of Simon, from Judah, he had been the outspoken treasurer of the group. He betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, and shortly afterwards hanged himself.

James Faulkner as Simon the Zealot. Little is known about Simon beyond the fact that he lived in Galilee and had been a member of the Zealots. That was a political movement which sought to incite the people of Judaea to rebel against the Roman Empire and expel it from the Holy Land by force.

Darek Newkirk as Jesus.

Jerry Stroud as Thomas.

Willie Bosley as James the Lesser, known by long-standing tradition as the son of Alphaeus.

Howard Detweiler as Philip. He preached through Syria, Asia Minor, and Greece, and was martyred at Hierapolis in western Anatolia.
The evening closed with Pastor LaMont serving communion first to the disciples and then to everyone present. There was a large crowd of our members plus several visitors.


Michael Hannon handed out programs.