The Last Supper

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

Cast of The Last Supper.
Eric Harmon narrating The Last Supper.

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.

Eric Harmon narrating The Last Supper.

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.

A table in an upper room is set for dinner.
Jesus and his disciples gather for dinner in an upper room in Jerusalem.
Jesus and his disciples gather for dinner in an upper room in Jerusalem.
Jesus and his disciples gather for dinner in an upper room in Jerusalem.
Jesus and his disciples gather for dinner in an upper room in Jerusalem.
Jesus and his disciples gather for dinner in an upper room in Jerusalem.
Jesus and his disciples gather for dinner in an upper room in Jerusalem.
Jesus and his disciples gather for dinner in an upper room in Jerusalem.
Jesus and his disciples gather for dinner in an upper room in Jerusalem.
Jesus and his disciples gather for dinner in an upper room in Jerusalem.
Jesus and his disciples gather for dinner in an upper room in Jerusalem.
Jesus and his disciples gather for dinner in an upper room in Jerusalem.
Jesus and his disciples gather for dinner in an upper room in Jerusalem.
Jesus and his disciples gather for dinner in an upper room in Jerusalem.
Jesus and his disciples gather for dinner in an upper room in Jerusalem.
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 the apostle Andrew.

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 the apostle Peter.

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 the apostle Matthew.

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 the apostle Thaddeus.

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 the apostle James.

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 the apostle John.

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.

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 the apostle Simon the Zealot.

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.

Darek Newkirk as Jesus.

Jerry Stroud as Thomas.

Jerry Stroud as Thomas.

Jerry Stroud as Thomas.

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

Howard Detweiler as the apostle Philip.

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.

Cast members of The Last Supper. Michael Hannon handed out programs.

Michael Hannon handed out programs.