The Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center Welcomes the Once “Pageant of Our Lord,” now the “Living Art Experience” to its New Venue. By Contributor Deborah Paul
Make-up artists gingerly help the Pieta model into stiff garments so her delicately painted skin doesn’t get bumped
For 35 years Rolling Hills Covenant Church has packed in thousands of art-loving folks for its presentations of the Pageant of Our Lord during the Easter holidays.
Three of the Old Testament prophets posing for visitors before a performance.
Not so this year.
This year, the presentation will make its 2023 debut as the Living Art Experience: Inspired by the Life of Christ at a new, more spacious and easily accessed venue.
Pieta models get layers of white, chalky-colored paint that has to dry for about 20 minutes before climbing into their poses
The presentation has been moved to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, mainly because the church has been undergoing a major renovation to its sanctuary as well as needing a larger venue to support the ever-growing popularity of the performances.
The archangel Michael casting Satan into his forever hell.
Visitors will enjoy the usual technical masterpieces with live models bringing to life events that portray the life and death of Christ, while blending music with breathtaking works of classical art, and an original script accompanied by an orchestra and vocal ensemble.
Various wigs are donned for Jesus’ portrayals, this one made of a mop, glue and paint.
Don’t miss this spectacular event — produced by hundreds of dedicated volunteers —which has become a big part of the South Bay’s Easter celebration.
A child cleans the heavy make-up off after his living art pose.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Sowers International to help save young girls from human trafficking.
A favorite presentation throughout the performance’s 36 years depicting Leonardo da Vinci’s Last supper.
BOX:
What: Living Art Experience
When: April 7 at 7 p.m. and April 8 at 1 and 4:30 p.m.
Where: Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach
Cost: Tickets range from $35 to $100.
Call: 310-521-2520 or visit tickets.livingartexperience.com
The Last Supper guys before going on stage for their pose.
The make-up artist paints eyes on a Jesus model so eyes don’t get watery when staring into stage lights for a three minute pose.
The Well of Moses sculpture features four of the Old Testament prophets.
Deborah Paul has played with ink since she was able to read and write. At 19, after two years of college, she left St. Louis to fly for American Airlines, and later enjoyed a long career with Flying Tiger Lines in many capacities, including flying military and their dependents all over the world as a flight attendant. Paul returned to university in the 1990s earning a journalism degree from Cal State University Dominguez Hills and was eventually hired as a newspaper reporter for the South Bay Weekly section of the Los Angeles Times. A decade later she worked for Orange Coast Magazine as their Charitable Events editor. She also taught journalism and was advisor to the campus newspaper at CSUDH and still contributes as a regular stringer for Peninsula News on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Currently, she has published five children’s books and most recently a zany cookbook featuring recipes from her former Flying Tiger Flight Attendant partners. Her poetic fictional stories are inspired by real people who have left an indelible mark on the quiet display of simple human kindness. She resides in Rancho Palos Verdes married to Jim, her husband of many adventures.
