Broadway and opera stars join Actors Co-op production in Costa

Mesa

Maundy Thursday, April 17, the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant

will again present “A Service of Gathering Darkness.”

The story of Jesus’ betrayal and passion will be told through

drama and an opera-like cantata entitled “On the Passion of Christ”

by British composer David H. Williams.

The leading role of Jesus will be sung by bass-baritone Richard

Kinsey, who rose to fame through his portrayal of Inspector Avert in

the Broadway and national touring companies of “Les Miserable.”

Kinsey will be joined by his wife, soprano narrator, Susan

Montgomery. Montgomery has soloed with the London, Beijing and

American symphonies in addition to performing at Carnegie Hall and

the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion.

Kinsey and Montgomery have soloed in more than 40 performances of

The Glory of Christmas and the Glory of Easter at the Crystal

Cathedral.

The role of tenor narrator will be sung by lyric tenor, Jonathan

Mack -- now in his 17th season with the Los Angeles Opera and with

more than 50 movie roles to his credit. He is also on the voice

faculty at the University of Southern California, Chapman College and

California State University at Long Beach.

The three solo artists will be joined by the Covenant Choir and a

chamber orchestra of the DeCapo Strings with Steve Velez, artistic

director.

To further intensify the telling of the gripping events of Holy

Week, dramatic presentations will be given by members of Actors

Co-Op, winner of five L.A. Drama Critic Circle Awards. Actors Co-Op

is the first Christian-based professional theater company in the

United States that operates under a contract with Actors Equity.

Two performances of this unique service will be offered with the

first one at 6:30 p.m. and the second performance at 8 p.m. The

service will be led by Pastor Tim McClendon with music direction by

Antoinette Broses. Childcare will be available. Admission is free,

but free-will offerings will be accepted.

The Presbyterian Church of the Covenant is located at 2850

Fairview Road in Costa Mesa. Call (714) 557-3340.