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Pastor's Wife Takes Risk On Biblical Theater

Photo by Brenda Gibbs

St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church drama team members Danny Greer on the ladder, Molly Blanton, Thea Greer, Sam Parejko, Lynn Nankervis, Charles Harps and Bob Ackroyd will present “The Complete History of the Old Testament in Twenty Minutes” Aug. 6.

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 30, 2008

BRANDON - It may have been a leap of faith when Brenda Gibbs decided to launch a production of the fast-paced Thomas Long drama "The Complete History of the Old Testament in Twenty Minutes" at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church.

She had been at St. Andrew's less than a year, barely enough time to get acclimated. And she had no idea if anyone in the congregation could act.

But Gibbs has been involved in community theater for more than 20 years, including a stint at the Venice Little Theater in Englewood. Before coming to St. Andrew's, she spent four years building the drama ministry at her former church, First United Methodist Church of Lakeland.

Being married to a pastor, Gibbs is accustomed to walking in faith.

So she put out a call to anyone wanting to participate.

"I was really pleased with the quality of the cast," said Gibbs, wife of the Rev. Bob Gibbs, who was appointed senior pastor at St. Andrew's about a year ago. "We didn't have any auditions, but I was amazed at the people who came forward. Some have experience, and one is a complete novice, but all of them are terrific. It was really miraculous the way it all came together."

What's especially impressive, she said, is for a first-time drama troupe to be willing to take on such an ambitious project. The drama, intended to show the New Testament in a funny, entertaining way, demands that nine actors play 45 roles. A 10th actor plays a single role, the voice of God.

"It was a lot of work," said Brenda Gibbs, the director and producer of the yet-unnamed theater troupe. "We started out with two or three rehearsals a week, and then stepped it up closer to the production."

The drama requires only a few props and a simple set.

"There's a lot of line memorization, but the hard part is remembering the movements as you come back as a different character," Gibbs said. "It's very high-energy."

"It's a really fun show. Sometimes it gets a little crazy, but that's what makes it so entertaining," said actor Charles Harps.

The premiere in May attracted more than 200 people, who demanded an encore performance - especially for friends and family who weren't able to make it to the one-night show.

So Gibbs and her cast of biblical characters will return with a dinner show production Aug. 6. Gibbs also has a request to take the show on the road to Palma Ceia United Methodist Church and hopes to do the same for other area churches.

CATCH THE SHOW

WHAT: The Complete History of the Old Testament in Twenty Minutes" at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 3315 Bryan Road (at Bloomingdale Road) Brandon..

WHEN: 7 p.m. Aug.6

DINNER: Begins at 6 p.m.

COST: $6 for adults, $4 for children and the salad bar only. Children younger than 3 are free.

RESERVATIONS: Dinner reservations may be made at www.standrewsbrandon.org. or at (813) 689-6849. The 7 p.m. show is free.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524 or dlwhite@tampatrib.com.

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