SAU Theatre presents the premiere of Baptist, a post-modern mystery musical play about the life of John the Baptist, Nov. 13, 14, and 15, in White Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

Written by Jim Leach with a musical score by Kent Brugger, this play received the playwriting first prize award by Christians in Theatre Arts in 1997, but has never been produced on stage.

Baptist borrows heavily from the medieval mystery play genre, a form where centuries ago our forebears would put on a play based upon a Bible story. Everyone in the audience knows the basics of the John the Baptist story—Herod, Herodias, Salome' and the rest. But, just like the medieval mystery play format, the playwright asks a question of the text and pushes it a bit. In Baptist, Leach invites us to wonder about John's relationship with our Lord Jesus.

"This production is not a sermon. It's not even liturgical drama. It's just art—serious art— made by Christians who take the Bible seriously... and who also take their imaginations seriously as ways of exploring the wonders of God's revelation in creation and in scripture," said Leach. 

The cast includes students Britain Willcock as Herod; Justin Cloyd as Baptist; Brianna Woodside as Herodias; Amanda Robbins as Salomé; David Blackburn and Kelly Ashton as Judas (Heckler); Stephen Clark as the Christ; Kyle Rehnlund as Guard One; Andrew Rohly as Disciple One; Matt Boivin as Guard Two; Jacob Cook as Disciple Two (James); Eric Joseph as River/Spirit One; and Makenna Devaux as River/Spirit Two.

Tickets for SAU students and staff are $5; general admission tickets are $8. Call 517.750.6500 to reserve your ticket.