Rolling Hills Covenant Church

About

Since 1986, Pageant of Our Lord has delighted audiences with a unique presentation of the life of Christ through "living" reproductions of famous works of art.

Story

Since 1986, Rolling Hills Covenant Church's Pageant of Our Lord has delighted audiences with a unique presentation of the life of Christ through "living" reproductions of famous works of art.

Over 200,000 people have enjoyed Pageant of the Lord. Each presentation includes fifteen art pieces, magnificent orchestrations with a 60-voice choir and original narration to lead the audience on a unique journey through Christ’s life. Over 400 volunteers donate hundreds of hours each year to present this unique gospel presentation.

The concept of the Pageant of Our Lord finds its roots in the Pageant of the Masters, an annual favorite in Laguna Beach, which features "living art," re-creations of famous artwork with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original. In 1986 Dr. David Halverson, producer and music director, was inspired by the Pageant of the Masters and worked to create a similar production, yet focused on the life of Christ. For the first performance, he gathered a group of artists to create six reproductions of classical art depicting scenes from Christ’s life. Makeup, costuming, and technical engineering presented many challenges which still continue today. In searching for the pieces to reproduce, they had to consider the size and scale of the art. The original relationship of the human figures to the background of the paintings and sculptures had to be maintained and it all had to fit within an eighteen-foot high stage opening. But over 25 years later, the Pageant has developed into a magnificent presentation that continues to amaze audiences with its dramatic and realistic depictions of some of the world’s most famous masterpieces.