The Great Passion Play

Celebrating 40 years, The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs is offering special ticket prices this season and has revamped its outdoor drama with new narrative and music. While the play opened in July 1968, today there is even more to praise at this complex of biblically based attractions in addition to the play itself.

While the story of the last days of Jesus' life on earth has not changed in 2,000 years, the way it's told has changed at The Great Passion Play. This year the play contains parables and text from different gospels in the New Testament, focusing on more miracles Christ performed in the days before his crucifixion and resurrection. Ninety percent of the scenes are new.

"Overall, our new script develops new elements in the character of Jesus," said Rick Mann, artistic director and one of the actors who portrays Jesus. "It shows the impact of Jesus on the lives of Pontius Pilates' wife, the high priests' servant Malchus, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimethea in new and fuller ways, and returns to a focus on the miraculous in the life story of Jesus.

"We strongly believe it will impact audiences in a way like never before," he said. "It will bring them back to The New Great Passion Play and create new fans."

More than 7.4 million people have seen this outdoor drama performed in the hills of the Ozark Mountains in the past 40 years. For this special season, tickets are half price if purchased by April 30 and used by July 31. The Great Passion Play runs from May 2 to Oct. 25 except for Sundays and Wednesdays. The drama is performed on a 550-foot outdoor stage with 250 actors and live animals. The grounds also include museums, arts centers, tours of a recreated New Holy Land and a restaurant.