The Thorn at Johnny Mercer Theatre

The Thorn began 25 years ago as a theater play. John Bolin, the youth pastor at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, created the simple play as an illustrated sermon for his adolescent group. Bolin claims that his first presentation comprised only a few players with rudimentary makeup and lighting — but the message was powerful, and the play was a success, garnering 10,000 viewers in its first year.

It all starts at the beginning: God’s creation of creation, Lucifer’s rebellion and fall, and Adam and Eve succumbing to temptation in the Garden of Eden. We see dance-inflected pantomimes of several events in Jesus’ career, such as summoning His disciples, healing the blind, and raising a girl from the dead. When Jesus heals a lame man, the recipient does more than just walk; he breakdances. This is just a snippet of the wondrous performances of the outstanding performers in the live show of The Thorn. Witness the live performance and marvel at the beautiful recreation of the life of Jesus Christ.

The Thorn’s website highlights that the production is suitable for families, including children. It was stated that “Over 12, absolutely. The show was originally designed for teenagers, so it is appropriate for anyone 12 and over. Over the years, we have worked to make the show more family-friendly as our audience has evolved to include younger children and families. The show is loud, has graphic content (specifically the crucifixion), and is an intense subject. That said, we have countless younger attendees that have an amazing experience, ages 6 and up. If you are planning on bringing children, the potentially questionable portion of the show is the 30 minutes after intermission (for the live show). The first hour and the last 20 minutes are all-ages appropriate.”

The show will run for two hours and thirty minutes, including a twenty-minute intermission. You can enjoy The Thorn with your whole family and immerse yourself in the life of Jesus Christ on earth. This unique religious and spiritual experience will always be remembered once seen. The show will be live at the Johnny Mercer Theatre on Saturday, the 14th of October, 2023. Purchase your tickets while it’s early to ensure you secure the best seats in the house.