Randall Murphree
AFA Journal editor
May 2017 – “With a full-sized sailing ship, a giant, man-swallowing whale, and fish that swim among an enraptured audience, Sight & Sound Theatres’ dramatic production of Jonah was one of the season’s top picks,” according to Stacy Long, AFA Journal staff writer and film reviewer.
In reality, Long spoke of S&S’s stunning stage production, which has enjoyed a long run at S&S’s two theaters in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Branson, Missouri.
But the big news from S&S this spring is Jonah’s voyage to movie screens on May 2.
Jonah: On Stage will show in 575 theaters for one day only. It’s a film version of the spectacular stage production. (See below.)
“Jonah: On Stage is "an opportunity,” S&S brand manager Dean Sell told AFA Journal, “for more people to experience this amazing Bible story in this unique way, far beyond what our two current locations could accommodate in one night.”
Moviegoers will be awed at how well the drama translates from stage to screen. One reason for that is that the two S&S state-of-the-art theaters use a massive, panoramic, 300-foot wrap-around stage – the length of a football field! That’s room enough for a broad variety of sets, which a stage crew can change in the darkness on one side of the stage while all eyes are riveted to action at the opposite side.
The Word well preserved
Yet, perhaps the major reason it has enjoyed such success and works so well is S&S’s focus to stay true to scriptural sources and the company’s commitment to excellence.
Founded in 1976 by Glenn and Shirley Eshelman, the mission of S&S has been, from the beginning, to “present the gospel of Jesus Christ and sow the Word of God into the lives of customers, guests, and fellow workers by visualizing and dramatizing the Scriptures. …”
As a young boy, Glenn Eshelman was captivated by the beauty of God’s creation and began painting landscapes. Later, photography became a passion. After their marriage, Glenn and Shirley began creating beautiful multi-media productions. S&S Theatres are rooted in those early Eshelman efforts, which they shared in local churches.
It’s grown some. More than 1.4 million people attended S&S stage shows in 2016. Among its other stirring stage dramas are Moses, Samson, and Joseph, which, along with Jonah, are available on DVD at sight-sound.com.
The world-class product
What child will not want to see the story they’ve heard again and again – the man swallowed by a fish and living to tell about it. It will reach a broader audience than ever before.
What Jonah: On Stage offers on May 2 is world-class storytelling and production that is both affirming and entertaining for families. Because of the S&S commitment to scriptural integrity, it will portray the story in a manner that helps young and old grow in their knowledge of the biblical account.
Going forward, S&S principals say, “We are continuously exploring new ways to bring the Bible to life and how we might provide more opportunities for more people to experience these timeless stories.”
Jonah: On Stage at movie theaters May 2 is one more way. 
While Jonah is a daring choice for a theatrical production, Sight & Sound brings a delightful finesse to its performance.
Most importantly – while the play does include creative details, carefully noted by the director prior to the performance – Jonah is not only faithful to the biblical account. It also highlights the prophetic nature of the story, demonstrating its Messianic significance in God’s plan for salvation. — Stacy Long
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Learn more and find theater locations for the one-day-only Jonah: On Stage, visit jonahonstagemovie.com or call 800-377-1277.
