OVER this years Roman Catholic priest Father Richard Ho Lung and the Missionaries of the Poor have staged a number of memorable dramatic presentations, and this year it is Acts of the Apostles.

It is a Caribbean style opera, crossing over into ballads, rock, reggae, revival, and even traditional classical styles, such as the pieces on Heaven and Hell.

The music is all original; written by Father Ho Lung and Wynton Williams. The play is adapted from the Acts of the Apostles (St Luke) but poetic license is used to introduce and develop, dramatic struggles and triumphs of the Apostles. Susanna, Claudio and Lydia are new characters along with Pio and Maria, the two children of the widow Susanna, who give texture, tension and a personalism to the historic text of Acts of the Apostles. These new characters are introduced in the drama by the writer Father Ho Lung to, as he states, make specific personalities that are of universal significance to the audience.

“It shows the great heroism; the courage and astonishing work of God in the human soul — when men, women and children have a great purpose and vision in life — to build the kingdom of God and to ennoble humanity,” Father Ho Lung notes.

Acts of the Apostles features the voices of Wynton Williams, Michael Harris, Chevaughn Clayton, Craig Walters, Caryl Constantine, Grace McDonald, Catecia Smith, and a cast of 50 extraordinary Jamaican voices.

The play will run at the National Arena in Kingston for 10 shows, between September 30 and October 9. Father Ho Lung says two shows are already sold out.

All revenue goes to Missionaries of the Poor ministries, the destitute, street people and orphans.