Just in time for the Easter season, The Thorn –- a unique theatrical representation of Christ's life, Passion and death -– is making its way to the stage in cities across America.
You can also watch it at home -- more on that at bottom.
What is The Thorn?
The Thorn is a Passion Play of sorts, recounting the story of Christ's life and His death on the Cross. But, rather than the traditional play popularized in medieval England, creator John Bolin and wife Sarah used modern theatrical elements to create a Scripture study extraordinaire.
The life of Jesus is brought to the stage with ballet, modern dance, gymnastics, aerial acts, fog and haze, explosive lighting, and emotionally powerful music.
The current stage version (click here for the schedule and tickets) stars Adam Bond as Jesus, and Jim Miles as the narrator, the elderly John the Beloved.
The Thorn leads viewers on an energetic journey through Biblical times. A slave boy stumbles upon John, by then the last living disciple of Jesus, and encourages John to recount his memories of Christ's time on Earth.
The Story of Christ as Comfort for a Young Woman's Fears
John Bolin, creator of The Thorn, was serving as a youth pastor in Colorado when his life took a new turn. After a youth meeting one night, a teen sat down beside him, tears running down her cheeks. John could see that she had been cutting her arms. John comforted her and told her that she needn't do that, that Jesus had given His life for her.
Determined to help her understand the depth of God's love for his people, Bolin brought together other youth-ministry leaders who played the roles of Jesus, the disciples, centurions, angels, and demons –- and by the following week, they had created a stage play which drew that teen and others into a fuller experience of God's all-abiding love.
That first presentation was simple, but by the following Easter season, he'd added a few scenes and constructed a basic platform. Over the next 10 years the Bolins developed the set and formalized the dialogue. The Thorn was ready to hit the stage.
Transforming the Stage Experience Onto Film
When COVID hit and theaters were closed, the Bolins found another way to tell the story of Christ's sacrificial love. They produced The Thorn on film, so that the message of salvation and God's love could still touch hearts, reaching people in their homes and small communities.
The main character in the stage play is not, as one might expect, Jesus. Rather, the primary role is that of narrator.
And, to recount the story for their live audience, the Bolins imagined an elderly John, the beloved disciple who had been there beside Christ throughout his ministry, and who could offer personal insights about Jesus and His followers, while interjecting a bit of humor.
Should Catholics Watch The Thorn?
The Thorn's creators are not Catholic; in fact, the Bolins are alumni of evangelical Oral Roberts University. Catholics need not fear that the play will conflict with Catholic theology, though, as the story adheres strongly to Scripture.
Since its release 26 years ago, more than 1.5 million fans have experienced The Thorn live. The performance is currently on a national tour, traveling to 26 cities across America.
If there are no live performances planned for a location near you, you can watch it on television, or via DVD or Blu-ray. The film version is available to stream on UP Faith & Family, and to rent or buy on Prime Video.
Here's a recent trailer for the stage version:
Here's a behind-the-scenes video for the film version. Our Josh Shepherd also talked to the Bolins in 2023, for the Fathom release of the film version.
Image: The Thorn LTD
Kathy Schiffer writes regularly for the National Catholic Register and Catholic World Report, and for other Catholic publications, including Evangelization and Culture, Crisis Magazine, Aleteia, Zenit, the Michigan Catholic, and Legatus Magazine. She’s worked for Catholic and other Christian ministries since 1988, as radio producer, director of special events, and media-relations coordinator.
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