RONKS, Pa.—The Sight & Sound Theatre, known for bringing Bible stories to life on stage, presents the story of the prophet Daniel for their 2024 production. The best-known story of Daniel has to do with the events that led to his being thrown into a lions’ den and his miraculous survival. It is a timely story of hope and faith in times of persecution and distress.
Daniel’s Faith-Story
The play is set in Babylon during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar. It opens with the king having a nightmare. Alarmed, he summons his wise men, magicians, and counselors demanding them to interpret his dream—without telling them what the dream was.Babylon, a mighty nation, had conquered many kingdoms, and the captives were brought into Babylon. The best and the brightest of them were chosen to serve the royal court. Daniel, with three other young Jews, are among other young men at court. Daniel is able to prove himself worthy when he is the only one able to interpret the king’s dream.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—Daniel’s companions in Babylon—are saved from a fiery death, in “Daniel.” Courtesy of Sight & Sound Theatre
As Daniel rises in rank and trust, not just with Nebuchadnezzar but also later with Darius, the Persian conqueror of Babylon, former counselors and wise men become envious of him. They plot to entrap him. To do so, they try to stop Daniel and his fellow Jews from praying to “the God of Heaven,” but Daniel and his friends are steadfast in their faith. From the time that Daniel’s friends survive the fiery furnace to the time when Daniel himself comes out of the lions’ den unscathed, God gives his protection to those who are faithful.
A ‘Monumental’ Production
The Sight & Sound’s reputation for grand sets and bigger-than-Broadway productions are on full display in “Daniel.” In one scene, Nebuchadnezzar takes Daniel on a boat ride for a river tour of Babylon. When asked what he thinks of the city, Daniel answers, “Impressive.” Nebuchadnezzar feigns disbelief, “It’s impressive? It’s monumental!”
Nebuchadnezzar and his wife Amytis take Daniel out on a boat to see the wonders of Babylon. Courtesy of Sight & Sound Theatre
The main stage is host to Babylon’s grand palace. Its pillars and arches gleam with gold, which sets off the “brilliant, jewel-toned blue” that was Nebuchadnezzar’s favored color. It dazzles and beguiles and truly showcases the wealth and grandeur of Babylon.
In the first scene when Nebuchadnezzar has a nightmare, a life-sized statue hovers over the stage. Birds can also be seen flying overhead. The right side-stage features the sleeping quarters for the Jewish scholars where Daniel tries to console his fellow refugees, while the left side-stage features Daniel’s offices as valued counselor to both Nebuchadnezzar and Darius. Human and animal actors enter and exit the stage using the aisles, making the audience feel as though they are part of the story. While no actual lions inhabit the lions’ den, the big cats are creatively “cast.”
A Compelling Cast
As the theater does not provide playbills, the actors and actresses remain nameless. Nevertheless, they are on point in portraying their characters. Daniel is appropriately cast as a young, handsome lad at the beginning, torn between his loyalty to God and his service to the earthly kings; he ages appropriately as he moves from one ruler to another.Nebuchadnezzar shows a range of emotions, as he transitions from an ambitious and egotistical ruler to a humble believer. In surprise appearances, patrons will be treated to two other prophets who were Daniel’s contemporaries: Ezekiel and Jeremiah. In one scene, the three Old Testament prophets take the stage, and Jeremiah’s strong bass mixes with the baritones of Ezekiel and Daniel to combine beautifully in a memorable song.
No expense seems to be spared as the program lists “nearly 300 wigs and over 100 beards crafted,” as well as “13,000 yards of fabric purchased” for the performers’ costumes. All these add to the opulence that was Babylon’s royal court.
Though Daniel was first launched on stage by Sight & Sound in 2002, this 2024 production is brand new: new script, new songs, and a new set. This production can only be described in one word: monumental.
Nebuchadnezzar welcomes the brightest of the refugees to his palace including Jews like Daniel, in “Daniel.” Courtesy of Sight & Sound Theatre
‘Daniel’
Sight & Sound Theatre
300 Hartman Bridge Rd., Ronks, Pa.
Tickets: 800-377-1277 or Sight-Sound.com
Running Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes (one intermission)
Closes: Dec. 31, 2024
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