The Gospel of John in a Dramatic Performance

Note: The Gospel of John performance originally scheduled for January 29 was postponed because of inclement weather and rescheduled for Good Friday, April 2. Tickets that have already been purchased will be valid at the April performance.

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It took nearly five months for actor Brad Sherrill to memorize all 20,000 words of The Gospel of John. He had plans to perform it just once at his home church in Atlanta, but has since presented John’s gospel more than 500 times in professional theaters and churches across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland. On Friday, January 29, Brad Sherrill will bring his celebrated touring performance to University UMC. 
 
“The Bible is not meant to be read in small pieces,” said Rev. Carl King. “It’s a large sweeping story, and finally, here, we can hear the entire Gospel of John presented. I think people will discover many sides of the Bible and the story of Jesus that they’ve never seen before. I think they’ll hear the humor, sense the drama and understand the promise in ways that you just don’t get by bits and pieces.”
 
Since 2001, The Gospel of John’s 500 performances have included a six-week run off-Broadway at New York City’s historic Lamb’s Theatre and at theaters in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Toronto and Atlanta. The Gospel of John’s European Cathedral tours brought the performance to large, historic cathedrals of the U.K., Ireland and Northern Ireland.
 
With perhaps a dozen very simple props used in a variety of ways, Brad Sherrill transforms the gospel into a captivating drama, presenting the entire story of the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. An estimated 150,000 people worldwide have now experienced a rare opportunity to see and hear an entire gospel presented live in this dramatic way. Response to The Gospel of John has been overwhelmingly positive from clergy, lay members and the press.
 
“An amazing achievement!” writes Kathy Janich in her review for the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The overriding question here is whether the word of God can work as a drama. Sherrill proves that it most certainly and successfully can,” said Janich. “You need only watch him as John the Baptist, testifying to his first sighting of Jesus Christ, to become a believer. And this moment comes less than 10 minutes into the show.”
 
The Washington Post adds: “The Gospel of John is a sweaty, gritty tale of a miracle-working idealist who runs afoul of the law. Passion, longing, envy, greed, ambition, intrigue and betrayal -- it’s all here, and it is riveting!”
 
Brad has acted professionally in Atlanta since 1983, and has been selected as “Atlanta’s Best Dramatic Actor” and “Atlanta’s Best Actor” by various Atlanta publications. Brad began acting at the age of 11 at Chamblee First United Methodist Church, where he is still a member.
 
“Brad Sherrill brings a lot of energy and depth to all the roles in the gospel,” Carl said. “This acting achievement is a marvel. It’s like learning all of Hamlet and playing all the parts. He was called into this in renewing his faith and coming back to his home church. He brings his particular interests and talents to bear on the gospel. I think that’s what we are all called to do. All of us have talents that we would be surprised to hear named as spiritual gifts. His acting talent is a spiritual gift. I think that’s a good example to all of us.
 
“There’s something about hearing the entire sweep of the gospel that’s really moving,” Carl continued. “I think we don’t realize how much we miss by snacking on the Good News. We need to feast on it. That’s what this does. It presents a feast.”
 
For more information about The Gospel of John, please visit www.gospelofjohn.com. To purchase tickets, click here. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and college students, and proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Orange County.