LAWRENCE — Twenty-eight years ago, 25 young adults performed in a musical about Jesus' last days on earth.
Little did they know "All I Have Done for You" was going to be part of their Lenten journey for almost three decades.
Now in their 50s and 60s, a handful of the original cast continues to volunteer — as producers, directors, songwriters and advisers.
The musical was adopted from Texan singer-songwriter Dallas Holm's 1979 album, "His Last Days." The musical was first staged by adult members of the folk group in the basement of the former Sacred Heart Parish. When Sacred Heart closed, the group was invited to be part of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish by former pastor Rev. Peter Gori.
Being part of the passion play is something that Vin Berthiaume, Dick Provencher, and Paula and Al Gagnon cannot imagine not doing.
"I feel a connection to it," said Paula Gagnon, 50, who works in the financial aid office at Merrimack College. "It has enhanced my own spiritual journey and I know in my heart this is where I have to be."
Paula Gagnon started in the chorus the fourth year it was performed. It was there she met her husband Al. AL Gagnon played the piano and synthesizer with a live band that also included a bass player, guitarist, flutists, drummer and organist.
Today, Al Gagnon uses a computer to generate musical arrangements of the songs Provencher writes.
"I like to give back to the community with my gifts and my talents," he said.
Gagnon, 54, said he receives as much as he gives to the production.
That was specially true during his battle with cancer. He said the prayers, cards and support from the cast and crew was tremendous.
"You won't believe how much it has strengthened my faith," Al Gagnon said.
Over the years, their faith has been tested through theft, flooding, and the annual search for youngsters to play the lead roles as teenagers go off to college after graduating from high school.
"We never know who will be showing up in January," Paula Gagnon said.
As the adults got older, their children grew and took on the roles their parents had played. Teenagers and young adults from other churches joined the Sacred Heart group.
"We are not just passing down a role but our faith," said Paula Gagnon, whose daughters, Nicole, 15, Lauren, 12, and Jenna, 11, are in the musical.
The same is true for Berthiaume. His children and now his grandchildren have stood on the same stage where he narrated Jesus' story as St. John the Baptist.
Today Berthiaume, 67, of Lawrence, directs the musical — a role he finds challenging.
"It's more difficult because they don't have the life experiences that an adult has. It's hard for them to tap deep into their feelings when they have not experienced too much in their lives," said Berthiaume, who retired as administrator in the finance office at Raytheon Corp.
Nevertheless, he could not think of doing anything else.
"Sometimes I come home and say 'Why am I doing this?' The few of us that are still involved do it because we learn from the kids," he said. "If it helps make his work better known, all the sacrifice and hard work is worth it."
Provencher, 68, of Dracut, returned this year after being away for five years. He started with the production, two years after it first ran. He played the role of St. Peter. Since his first starring role, he has written 10 original songs for the musical inspired by life experiences, scenes in the play, or messages he has heard in church or retreats.
His favorite composition is "For Me," which he wrote for the character of Mary Magdalene.
"It moves me every time I hear it because the words 'How can you love me the way I am?' really touch me," Provencher said.
In addition to the heart-wrenching music, Berthiaume said the characters and the story of Holy Week sparks a desire in the audience to learn more about Jesus.
Original scenes in the musical include the apostles on a boat with their fishing nets, Jesus carrying a cross on his road to Calvary and Christ's arms stretched on the cross looking up to heaven. Jesus healing a crippled girl and Veronica wiping Jesus' face on his way to Calvary have been added.
"We try to add more sensitivity to the portrayal, showing Jesus as a real human being," Berthiaume said. "It's one thing to read about him in the gospel, but is all together different when you see him on stage. We want you to feel with your heart. That's the biggest lesson."
The production crew has deleted roles including Judas because his betrayal of Jesus was too graphic for youngsters who attend the show. New characters like Mary Magdalene and St. Peter were added.
"They were friends of Jesus, and they bring a dimension of reality. They really affirm that Jesus lived among us," Berthiaume said.
He never gets tired of directing and watching the play.
The show on Good Friday is the most popular, said Paula Gagnon, adult adviser and producer.
"It is the most sacred day in our religion and we take the opportunity to remember the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus has made for us," she said. "We truly strive to make each presentation a reflection of all that Jesus has done for us."
The cast and crew of "All I Have Done for You" is winding down the 2010 season after 130 hours of rehearsals that started in January. Their final two shows will be March 27 and April 2.
Just like the adults before them, many of this year's actors have grown up with the musical.
William Sullivan, 18, of Hampstead, N.H., has been in the musical since he was a child, and is playing the role of St. Peter this year.
"It has given me more courage to stand in front of an audience. When I'm in the play and act the stories, I get lost in the role and it becomes very real," said Sullivan, a student at Rivier College in Nashua, N.H.
For Peter Kish, 21, of Methuen, this is the fourth year he is part of the cast. This time, the student at Northern Essex Community College is playing John.
"You get so much more from the amount you give during the performance," Kish said.
Casey Dawson, 15, of Andover, a sophomore at Central Catholic High School, is new to the production. He plays the role of Jesus. "It has been a huge boost for my faith," he said.
If you go
What: Passion play "All I Have Done for You"
When: March 27 at 7 p.m. and April 2 at 11 a.m.
Where: St. Theresa Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, 22 Plymouth St., Methuen.
