APG Holds Living Last Supper Play

The Aberdeen Proving Ground Protestant chaplain service held The Living Last Supper on Thursday, a live drama depicting Jesus Christ’s last night with his disciples before his crucifixion.

The play, based on the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting of The Last Supper, gave each of the actors portraying the 12 disciples a brief soliloquy sharing insight into their characters’ traits before questioning whether they would be the one who betrayed Christ.

The Protestant Chaplain service will unite with the Catholic chaplain service on Sunday morning to also hold a play that is open to the public at 6 a.m. on the waterfront near the Top of the Bay restaurant and training center on the Aberdeen side of the base. The Easter performance will focus on Christ’s resurrection.

“I always have a huge appreciation for the gift of music and the gift of drama,” said Protestant Chaplain Wayne Boyd. “Since we’re doing it as a drama and not a service our Catholic congregations will come as well.”

The sunrise drama allows the five Catholic and Protestant congregations, three housed at Aberdeen and two housed at Edgewood to come together on Easter morning.

“Coming together is what it’s all about,” Boyd said.

The Living Last Supper, held Thursday at 7 p.m. in the main chapel on the Aberdeen side of the base, incorporated poetry and songs as brief interludes during the performance.

Sandy Nook, a volunteer who organized the performance, said the play has been an APG Holy Week institution for some 15 years. 

Following the play, Chaplain Kurt O’Donnell, who played the role of Christ, offered communion to those who attended the performance.

“It’s a humbling experience because nobody is worthy to stand in his place,” O’Donnell said of Christ. “I’m just hoping that it will draw people closer to an understanding of how important it is to celebrate Christ’s sacrifice for us.”