Photo courtesy of Sight and Sound Theatre.
Sight and Sound Theatre presents stories from the Bible in grand and theatrical ways. Their productions run in Branson MO and Lancaster County PA in two highly impressive venues.
The show running currently in Lancaster County, PA is Noah, which as we all know tells the story of God coming to Noah and asking him to build an ark before he destroys the world. For 40 days and nights it rained while Noah kept two of all God’s creatures safe on the ark with his family. Now if you think you’ve seen this story before I can unequivocally say that even if you have, you have not seen it presented like this.
…a truly spectacular show…’Noah’ is one show that you won’t soon forget.
The show utilizes all of a 300 foot long stage and the audience can seat 2,047 people. The stage is double the size of Radio City Music Hall so when we are on the ark, you feel as if you are really there with the 52 member cast and the 60 live animals. As if that wasn’t enough there are plenty of animatronics and over 1800 lighting instruments which equals out to over 3 million watts of light. The Ark alone weighs 11,000 pounds and is in multiple pieces before being assembled.
If this sounds like a spectacle to you, you’d be right, but this show doesn’t feel like some cheesy Las Vegas spectacular. It strives to teach the younger members of the audience its Biblical history in an entertaining way.
Now, here is where I’d mention some of the performances but believe it or not I cannot in this review and here is why. Sight and Sound fully believes in not singling out anyone associated with one of its shows so the playbill does not list the cast or production team. In fact, there isn’t even a curtain call. I can tell you that the show was directed by Dan Deal with Josh Enck serving as its Chief Creative Officer. I can also say that the incredible music was composed by Larry Kenton, Mark Gasbarro, Tom Howard and Don Harper. Deal’s staging is magnificent and the music, particularly the “Loading of the Ark” is uplifting and sounds fantastic. The cast sings and acts the piece superbly and I can tell you that there is not one bad performance in the bunch. With that many people onstage that is some achievement.
Photo courtesy of Sight and Sound Theatre.
This is a theatrical retelling so there is an added story line about Noah’s brother trying to get in favor with the governor and wants to show that the only reason Noah is building the ark is because he is insane. Methusala who does not appear in the story also appears here as an elderly relative to Noah’s family. These additions some purists might argue don’t belong but for theatrical purposes they work just fine.
Regardless of your faith or beliefs this show is one that should be seen. It’s the kind of show families can see together and get different things out of. Kids will be wowed by the spectacle while learning their Bible stories. Adults will be moved by the shear scope of the production and the story itself.
This was my first time at a Sight and Sound production and I must say it lives up to its name. Your senses are fully immersed for the entire time of your visit.
All in all Noah takes the familiar Bible story and turns it into a truly spectacular show. With its huge production and equally talented large group of performers including the animals, Noah is one show that you won’t soon forget.
Running Time: Two Hours and 20 minutes with one intermission.
Noah runs through November 2nd 2013 at Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster County Pa. The theatre is located at 300 Hartman Bridge Road – Ronks, PA 17572. Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here or by calling 800-377-1277.
