COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. – As part of the SonRise Resurrection Pageant this Easter weekend, Southern Adventist University announced in an official statement today that they will be unveiling a new interactive reenactment in the Fall.
Tentatively titled NoShow, the production will follow the journey of William Miller and the Millerites from initial revelations about Jesus’ imminent return, to that tragic night of October 22, 1844, and the subsequent birth of Adventism from the ashes of disappointment.
When asked why the University would choose to focus on what many feel is the most embarrassing part of Adventist history, SAU religion professor and early church historian, Herman Smith, replied: “Well, we have to find some way to get young people excited about church history, don’t we? It’s a battle just to keep students awake in my course on Ellen G. White. This is a great opportunity to get them actively involved in the rich history and beginnings of our church.”
Though the script is still being written and plans finalized for NoShow, the planning committee has said this production will follow a similar format to SonRise with a “walk-through” experience for the audience. The show will open with William Miller hard at work, studying scripture in a stuffy office in Hackman Hall, ending with the final scene of disappointment in the K.R. Davis Promenade.
Southern hopes NoShow will be an even bigger hit than SonRise. “Not only will this pageant attract the usual crowds of church members and University students, but we also expect a large turnout from all across Tennessee and surrounding states. Ardent fans of Civil War reenactments will surely be drawn to this riveting production as well.”
Initial reactions to this production have been mixed, but Southern is confident it will gain steam in the months ahead. “It took a while for William Miller’s message of Christ’s soon return to take hold, but in the end he had thousands of believers anxiously waiting that night. That seems like a solid goal for us as well.”
Special thanks to Ally for the guest post!
