After nearly ten years the epic production of Noah returns to Sight & Sound's Millennium Theater in Lancaster County. The sets are astounding, the acting first rate and the singing and dancing well choreographed. The animals are integrated throughout the story in such a way that keeps the audience wondering where and what will appear next. This single season run of Noah will play through November 2, 2013.
Guests to Noah were impressed with the set designs, acting, music and animals, as evidenced by the gasps and applause throughout the performance. The first half of the production has several set changes that range from Noah’s home and farm to the Land of Nod and back to his home with the ark growing ever larger. We meet Noah, and his wife Emuwnah, his sons Shem, Ham and Japheth as well as their wives and extended families. On the visit to the Land of Nod the audience becomes part of the production as three well trained and regally dressed horses with riders enter from the rear of the theater to the stage.
In various acts the action spills into the audience giving an added dimension to the performance. The action moves to what appears to be a crescendo before intermission when the ark is finished and the family is loading the animals inside, two by two. The storm clouds are approaching and until this time, no one had ever seen rain or heard thunder. As the animals rush across the stage the audience delights in their focus on hitting their marks. The audience thrills as two pigs, two camels, two parrots, two steers and on and on load into the ark. Interspersed with the live animals are some very convincing costumed actors in creative animal costumes.
If the audience thought the second half couldn’t be more exciting they were soon provided clear evidence that the best was yet to come. When the curtains began to rise starting the second half of the presentation the auditorium was completely transformed. For those who have never been in this theater, and even those who have, they were amazed as the curtains rose and then the side walls of the theater were pulled back to reveal a wrap-around three-hundred foot stage .
The audience was seemingly transported to the inside of the ark as the last of the animals were loaded and the locals, who had scoffed at Noah, tried to bargain their way inside. Over a hundred, live and animatronics, animals were staring out at the audience as the storm began to rage outside the ark.
Often touted as the Christian Broadway the Sight & Sound Theatres played to over a million people from around the world last year alone, according to the Sight & Sound website. Sight and Sound has grown from a multimedia show presented in a rented auditorium in 1976 to the largest faith-based live theater in the United States. With locations in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and Branson, Missouri the organization will celebrate 37 years of public productions, bringing the Bible to life.
Tickets run from $19.00 for children, $29.00 for teens and $49.00 for adults in the Monday through Friday performances. Saturdays are higher. The theater is located at 300 Hargman Bridge Road, Ronks, PA 17572. The box office can be reached at 1800-377-1277.
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