The Park Theater Performing Arts Center in Union City, New Jersey presented the 82nd Anniversary Celebration of the Passion Play, the Glory of Easter during Lent. This is America's longest running passion play.

Joseph Bukovec, a first-generation Croatian-American has been in the play for 36 years and playing the part of Jesus for the previous 13 years. However, Eric Hafen the Artistic Director of the theater and co-director of the play with Daniel P. Quinn alternated the role of Jesus in 1997. On three weekends Joseph Bukovec played Jesus and on three weekends Desi Arnez Giles, a 6 foot 5 African-American played Jesus. This was the first time that a black man had performed in the role of Jesus.

Death threats, racist threats and ticket cancellations prevailed initially, but after the last curtain had fallen ticket sales increased 24 percent over the previous year.

The initial negative public response to a Black Jesus may best be summed up in the words of Jesus as He was hanging on the cross:

"Father forgive them for they know not what they do."

J. Michael Skaggs © 1997