Donations Save the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs
By: KNWA News via KARK, Little Rock
Updated: January 3, 2013
It looks like the show will go on for the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs.
The President of an Oklahoma-based Christian radio network says it has hit its $75,000 fundraising goal to stop a foreclosure.
The long-running production, involving more than 150 actors and animals, tells the story of Jesus Christ's life and death. Money woes led to the production's collapse in late 2012. The show started in 1968 and has drawn millions of visitors from across the country over the decades.
A spokesman for the Gospel Stations Network says a former cast member donated $5,000 and a resident from Berryville also donated $5,000.
Randall Christy, President of the Gospel Station Network, says the Great Passion Play will open on schedule in May and run a full season which ends in October.
The Carroll County News in late December reported several sources close to the production said the Great Passion Play was in arrears to the tune of $1.2 million and could not make its mortgage and interest payments.
Now that his broadcasting company has saved the show, Christy says he aims to raise $6 million to renovate and expand the production.
Christy plans to hold a news conference at noon on Thursday at the amphitheater in Eureka Springs to announce more details of his organizations plans for the future.
Update (January 2):
A donation drive underway to save the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs from foreclosure still needs money by noon today to keep the long-running production going.
Organizers say $7,500 is needed to satisfy the bank and it's seeking donations up until the last second.
Click here to donate to the cause.
Original story (January 1):
The clock is ticking down on the future of the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs (Carroll County).
The Northwest Arkansas attraction has fallen on financial hard times. It was facing foreclosure at midnight Monday, but an effort to save continues through Wednesday.
According to Randall Christy, president of the Gospel Station Network, the group spearheading the effort to save the play, they are $50,000 toward their goal of $75,000.
If they are able to stop the foreclosure, Christy says the season will begin in May without missing a beat.
The Gospel Station Network is based in Ada, Oklahoma. Its website says they've partnered with the Passion Play for this drive in an effort to save the play for "our children and grandchildren."
The Passion Play production dates back to 1968.
The President of an Oklahoma-based Christian radio network says it has hit its $75,000 fundraising goal to stop a foreclosure.
The long-running production, involving more than 150 actors and animals, tells the story of Jesus Christ's life and death. Money woes led to the production's collapse in late 2012. The show started in 1968 and has drawn millions of visitors from across the country over the decades.
A spokesman for the Gospel Stations Network says a former cast member donated $5,000 and a resident from Berryville also donated $5,000.
Randall Christy, President of the Gospel Station Network, says the Great Passion Play will open on schedule in May and run a full season which ends in October.
The Carroll County News in late December reported several sources close to the production said the Great Passion Play was in arrears to the tune of $1.2 million and could not make its mortgage and interest payments.
Now that his broadcasting company has saved the show, Christy says he aims to raise $6 million to renovate and expand the production.
Christy plans to hold a news conference at noon on Thursday at the amphitheater in Eureka Springs to announce more details of his organizations plans for the future.
Update (January 2):
A donation drive underway to save the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs from foreclosure still needs money by noon today to keep the long-running production going.
Organizers say $7,500 is needed to satisfy the bank and it's seeking donations up until the last second.
Click here to donate to the cause.
Original story (January 1):
The clock is ticking down on the future of the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs (Carroll County).
The Northwest Arkansas attraction has fallen on financial hard times. It was facing foreclosure at midnight Monday, but an effort to save continues through Wednesday.
According to Randall Christy, president of the Gospel Station Network, the group spearheading the effort to save the play, they are $50,000 toward their goal of $75,000.
If they are able to stop the foreclosure, Christy says the season will begin in May without missing a beat.
The Gospel Station Network is based in Ada, Oklahoma. Its website says they've partnered with the Passion Play for this drive in an effort to save the play for "our children and grandchildren."
The Passion Play production dates back to 1968.
