Germany wants Minnesotans in audience for Oberammergau passion play

The world’s largest and oldest passion play — first performed nearly 400 years ago and now involving, literally, a cast of thousands — rolls out once every decade in a small German village. If its German promoters are right, Minnesotans are among their most likely American audiences for this über rendition of Jesus’ final days.

Last week, leaders from the German National Tourism Board stopped here to promote the Oberammergau passion play, making Minneapolis one of just four U.S. cities to get the red-carpet treatment ahead of the play’s next incarnation, May to October 2020.

Jesus, or at least the actor portraying him, was on hand for interviews, as was the play’s director.

“We think [Minnesota] is one of the most important places in the United States to visit,” said Ricarda Lindner, the German tourist office’s regional manager for the U.S. and Israel. “It’s an area with a lot of Americans with German heritage. It has a strong religious tradition.”

The Twin Cities also is known for its international travelers and global interests, she said, adding, “We feel it’s a fruitful market.”

The world-famous passion play has some serious fans in Minnesota, ranging from the Rev. Charles Lachowitzer, vicar general of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, to the Rev. Margie Guelker of St. Philip’s Lutheran Church in Fridley, who is coleading two tour groups there next year.

“About 500,000 people are expected to come next year,” said Frederik Mayet, the actor portraying Jesus. “More than two-thirds

Article source: http://www.startribune.com/germany-wants-minnesotans-in-audience-for-oberammergau-passion-play/508192292/