Election Section

GARDEN GROVE – Estela Cuevas had been trying to get tickets to the Crystal Cathedral’s “Glory of Easter” pageant for three years, so she jumped at the chance when a friend nabbed some this year. 

“It was beautiful and it touched my heart,” Cuevas, 57, said after attending one of this year’s 22 performances. “It made me feel alive.” 

Cuevas is one of more than 880,000 people who have seen the play at the Crystal Cathedral since its debut 18 years ago. Performances in the 2,980-seat church often sell out and officials estimate millions more have seen it through cable, satellite TV or on videotape. 

Using professional actors in lead roles, Hollywood effects and a 124-foot-long stage, the $3 million production continues to draw big audiences to the towering glass and steel sanctuary. 

“It’s the story of the passion of Christ,” said the Rev. Robert H. Schuller, pastor of the 10,000-member Protestant church. “It’s taking a classic play of suffering and splitting it into a contemporary scene and venue.” 

The “Glory of Easter” tells the story of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, the last supper, his trial, crucifixion and resurrection. The play debuted two years after the success of the “Glory of Christmas,” a musical about the birth of Christ that still goes strong each November and December. 

“I liked that I saw everything at once,” said Cuevas, who plans to return next year. “I don’t have to go to church every week to get part of it. I feel like I can be part of it.” 

Church officials say the play has become part of their mission to reach out to the community. “The arts are a great tool of evangelism,” said Dorie Lee Mattson, the production’s assistant director. 

“When you invite people to church they don’t know what’s expected of them or they think you’re trying to convert them,” said Trudy Miller, 72, a church member and volunteer actor. “But if you invite them to a play, that’s something nonconfrontational.” 

An underpinning of the cathedral productions’ draw is the popularity of the 74-year-old Schuller, who began preaching atop a drive-in theater concession stand some 40 years ago and went on to become a household name through his “Hour of Power” broadcasts. 

“We like Dr. Schuller’s preaching,” said Jim Singer, 60. “He says to look positively at things even when it’s something negative.” 

Singer and his wife, Sandie, 61, said they made a special effort to visit the Crystal Cathedral while on a long drive back to LaBelle, Fla., after visiting their son in Sacramento. 

They were able to see the show on short notice because friends had extra tickets. “It was wonderful and so well done,” Sandie Singer said. 

The director and writer of “The Glory of Easter” is Paul David Dunn, who happens to be Schuller’s son-in-law. While the story comes from the Bible, Mattson said the production “takes advantage of technology” as well as the sight and smell of peacocks, pigs, horses and donkeys to make it vivid for audiences. 

“The images are so strong,” said Terry Yang, 36, of Diamond Bar, referring to special effects that enable angels to fly above the audience, bring on an earthquake that shakes the rafters and pump smoke and flash lasers across the stage. 

Schuller, who’s trying to raise $14 million to finance a third theatrical production for a story about creation, predicts “The Glory of Easter” will remain popular.  

He attributes its success to the cathedral’s location, just a mile from Disneyland and accessible by freeway. 

His staff, however, thinks people watch the show for intangible reasons. 

“You can publicize the special effects,” said spokeswoman Cindi Palomarez. “Ultimately, it’s the message that’s the draw.”