The Promise

[TravelAgtSteve]

I attended The Promise at The Mansion Theater last night (Friday night).

I had seen the show years previously when they were in what is now The White House Theater, and was wondering how the show is different.

I was blown away - the sets are simple, but quite sufficient. The theater is well maintained, clean, and easy to navigate. The seating is a little tight, but still quite comfortable.

On the technical aspects of the show, the crew is top-notch and the lighting and set design are done very well. The music was a little loud, which sometimes made it hard to hear the singing (I could hear the SINGING, just not the WORDS at some points).

The cast was magnificent - all did well, and they can sing. BOY can they sing! The acting was very good, and the story progressed well.

I can see how the storyline of The Promise differs from the Biblical accounts, and I can see why, too. It still did not take away from the entire production.

Joseph Pokorski was guest-starring as Jesus in this production (some may know him from the Twelve Irish Tenors and the Broadway! show at Branson Variety) and he was GREAT in the role.

The audience was really getting into the show, too - they all had a great time!

[lindainkansas]

Originally Posted by TravelAgtSteve

I attended The Promise at The Mansion Theater last night (Friday night).

I had seen the show years previously when they were in what is now The White House Theater, and was wondering how the show is different.

I was blown away - the sets are simple, but quite sufficient. The theater is well maintained, clean, and easy to navigate. The seating is a little tight, but still quite comfortable.

On the technical aspects of the show, the crew is top-notch and the lighting and set design are done very well. The music was a little loud, which sometimes made it hard to hear the singing (I could hear the SINGING, just not the WORDS at some points).

The cast was magnificent - all did well, and they can sing. BOY can they sing! The acting was very good, and the story progressed well.

I can see how the storyline of The Promise differs from the Biblical accounts, and I can see why, too. It still did not take away from the entire production.

Joseph Pokorski was guest-starring as Jesus in this production (some may know him from the Twelve Irish Tenors and the Broadway! show at Branson Variety) and he was GREAT in the role.

The audience was really getting into the show, too - they all had a great time!

I agree it is very good, but it just does not compare with the first production with the Brooks brothers and I missed the animals. (I know they can't have them in that theatre) The music was also better you went home singing the songs... this one I did not leave even remembering them. I sure wish they would put songs like "I see the kingdom coming" and "Closer than a heartbeat" back in.

[TravelAgtSteve]

Originally Posted by lindainkansas

I agree it is very good, but it just does not compare with the first production with the Brooks brothers and I missed the animals. (I know they can't have them in that theatre) The music was also better you went home singing the songs... this one I did not leave even remembering them. I sure wish they would put songs like "I see the kingdom coming" and "Closer than a heartbeat" back in.

Thanks for your comments, Linda.

Personally, while I thought the current production of The Promise could have been enhanced with animals, not having them wasn't a detriment to my enjoyment. And, I certainly had songs stuck in my head from that night! For someone who wasn't able to see prior productions of The Promise, the current production is still worth the time and money, IMO.

[debdura1]

I too attended The Promise on friday night. It was spectacular. I loved it and would recommend to anyone. Got half price tickets to see Celebrate America for Saturday 1:00. Same cast minus Jesus (Joseph) but did meet him and talked to him for a while. He just happened to be walking through the theater and the announcer called him over to us. Very nice man. Good looking too. Ha.

[bransoncutie]

Originally Posted by TravelAgtSteve

Thanks for your comments, Linda.

Personally, while I thought the current production of The Promise could have been enhanced with animals, not having them wasn't a detriment to my enjoyment. And, I certainly had songs stuck in my head from that night! For someone who wasn't able to see prior productions of The Promise, the current production is still worth the time and money, IMO.

Stever, you are correct -- if you have NOT seen the previous production of The Promise, then this one is a good choice. Does anyone know who usually plays the role of Jesus in this production? I know that Joseph Pokorski is in the production on a limited basis. Does anyone know what happened to Landon Rose?

[nytransport]

I just wanted to say I agree 100% with TravelAgtSteve and debdura1's posts.

I had seen The Promise earlier this year and enjoyed it but was urged by a friend to see it again when Joseph Pokorski was performing as Jesus. A few of us saw the show Sunday and this man blew us away. The power and emotion in his voice was AMAZING! His loud singing put you back in your chair and his soft gave you goose bumps. We never felt once like he was acting like Jesus, he was just being. It seemed that everyone in the cast also performed better last night. It was a great evening!

What made it all the better is that we met Joseph after the show and he was a humble, soft spoken, very nice man (and as debdura said, my girlfriend also thought he was "easy on the eyes"!)! He took time to talk to us and even got on a tour bus to say Hi when he was asked! If you get a chance go to see The Promise and if you can when he is performing!

[kbradleyar]

Originally Posted by TravelAgtSteve

Joseph Pokorski was guest-starring as Jesus in this production (some may know him from the Twelve Irish Tenors and the Broadway! show at Branson Variety) and he was GREAT in the role.

I thought Joseph had left Branson. I knew he was in Broadway last year when Merril Osmond was gone and he was supposed to be in Twelve Irish Tenors but because of some issues, he wasn't in the Twelve Irish Tenors after he left Broadway and Merril returned. He was in the Twelve Irish Tenors in Reno NV but he never was last year in Branson. I do not know about this year. The last I heard about him, he was working at a show "up north".

I never cared for his performance at Broadway. He has a very talented singing voice but I do not like opera and Joseph "Tried" to sing all the Broadway songs as if they were operas. Some of the songs were ok, some didn't do well in the conversion. I guess if you were into opera, it would be ok but I came to hear Broadways songs sung like on Broadway not opera. If I had wanted to hear OPERA, I would have paid to see an opera.

I am glad to see that he is back in Branson. His fiancee works here in town and I am glad they can be together.

[hhawkins]

I have to say that I love the current run of the Promise. I liked the first run at the White House, but think this one is even better.

The first one was more of a spectical show, like Noah. Very good, but also more on production than message. That is not at all bad. I like it.

However, this show is more focused on the story. Sets are not at big and there is more story development, acting and heart felt music that touches the soul. I have seen this newer production several times and find that I am touched more and more each time. I love it and see it every chance I get. I have never missed the animals.

Just to make things clear, I also love Noah and the older Promise run.

[BransonLiving11]

Great show, the new aspects of the show and the technical and sound advances brought the show to a whole new level. Branson needs more shows like this because it brings Branson more to a level like Broadway shows.
Branson will need this to attract a younger generation.

[ourocks4ever40]

I have never seen The Promise but it sounds like a good one to go see next time we are in Branson.

[lindainkansas]

Originally Posted by ourocks4ever40

I have never seen The Promise but it sounds like a good one to go see next time we are in Branson.

By all means go see The Promise, and don't miss Celebrate America. You can get combo tickets at the Theatre for both and spend the afternoon and evening. There is good food right close to go out to eat inbetween. See them both you will love it.

[MilBrem]

My husband and I enjoyed this very much. I recommend going to see it.

[CHRISTISAM2001]

Thanks for the review TravelAgtSteve.