'Jesus the Christ' musical production in Mesa

This Easter season, Mesa will once again be home to the state-of-the-art theatrical production of “Jesus the Christ,” an outdoor musical dramatization.

“Through music, dance, drama and a cast of more than 450 performing on a massive stage, ‘Mesa Easter Pageant: Jesus the Christ’ depicts the powerful and poignant moments of the life of Jesus Christ. Witness awe-inspiring, miraculous events surrounding Jesus’ life as recorded in the New Testament, including: His humble birth, His healing miracles, His walk on the raging Sea of Galilee, His raising the dead, His crucifixion on the cross, and His glorious resurrection,” according to a release.

The family friendly musical stage production comes to life with special effects and live animals. The soundtrack for “Jesus the Christ: The Mesa Easter Pageant” was composed and produced by Rob Gardner and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and Spire Chorus, it states.

The free 70-minute program runs Wednesday, March 20, through Saturday, March 23, and Tuesday, March 26, through Saturday, March 30. Each evening’s performance begins at 8 p.m. on the north lawn of the Mesa Arizona Temple, 455 E. Main St. in downtown Mesa.

“It is our gift to the community,” says Jenee Wright Prince, who has served as pageant director since 2012.

The Easter celebration has been a community holiday tradition in downtown Mesa since 1938 and is presented with the help of more than a thousand volunteers from throughout the Valley, including Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Tempe, Phoenix, Florence, Laveen, and Avondale.

For information, go to MesaTemple.org .