GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A free performance of Leonard Bernstein's famous production "Mass" is coming to Fountain Street Church this weekend.
The piece, formally named "Mass: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers", was commissioned by former First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis for the 1971 dedication of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
"It will not quite feel like a real mass," said Fountain Street and Aquinas Choir Director Austin McWilliams. "In Leonard Bernstein's words themselves, it's not a mass, it's a theatre piece about a mass."
He explained that the production revolves around a priest known as the Celebrant who, at the start of his sermon, feels connected with God and his parishioners. Over the course of the piece, we see him stray from that path and struggle with his faith.
"This show was written in 1971, a very socially tumultuous time in this country. And most people, myself included, consider the show to be one big allegory for a crisis of faith—not just in God, not just in the church, but also in many of our society's most prominent institutions," McWilliams said. "And the question that the show asks are, 'What can we really believe in?'"
McWilliams said the production is the largest ever seen at Fountain Street Church. It will feature over 120 performers—three choirs, a 21-person orchestra with members of the Grand Rapids Symphony, three dancers from Deos Contemporary Ballet and an actor who came to Grand Rapids to play the leading role of the Celebrant.
There will also be pre-recorded excerpts that were conducted by Bernstein himself, McWilliams said.
This is the annual Memorial Concert which has been held at Fountain Street Church for decades. The concert is always free for the community to attend.
The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at Fountain Street Church. No tickets are required. A pre-concert discussion about the piece will be held at 6:30 p.m. If you plan on attending, McWilliams said you should plan on arriving early to reserve your spot.
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