A 30-year Atlanta Tradition Continues

The Play of Herod is one of Atlanta's longest-running Christmas traditions, and it continues at St. Luke's Episcopal this Friday and Saturday

By Wanda Yang Temko

Produced and Edited by Wanda Yang Temko

Atlanta, GA – The Play of Herod is one of Atlanta's longest-running Christmas traditions. The play was first performed in Atlanta in 1974, in the drafty warehouse space of Kelly's Seed & Feed Theatre. For a quarter-century, the performances were continuously sold out and became a keenly anticipated part of the Atlanta Christmas season until the production was suspended in 1999. It was revived in 2004.

Two parts of the Christmas story unfold in a medieval ceremony of simple gestures and ancient, haunting melodies. In a drama of mysterious beauty, a tale is told of awestruck shepherds, kings from afar come to worship a baby, a King Herod clinging to power for himself and his son, the bloody slaughter of children. The Play of Herod is sung in Latin, with English translations projected above the action.

Director Kelly Morris and Music Director Kevin Culver are in conversation with Wanda Yang Temko.