MANSFIELD – Effie James is making his return to Mansfield Senior High School, but this time in the theatre instead of the gymnasium.
The former Tygers basketball coach is presenting an encore performance of his original play, “Lord Can You Hear Me?” after an overwhelming response at its premiere. The one-time-only show debuted on May 7 at Latter Rain Church in Mansfield.
“Our church holds about 400 people, and we had to set up chairs in the aisles,” James said. “We even had people downstairs. It was really close to 500 people.”
With Mansfield Senior’s 900-seat auditorium, the play has the opportunity to double its audience. For James, it’s double the opportunity to bring his audience closer to the Lord.
“I really had to pray about doing it again,” James said. “In my heart, God is telling me He wants more people – not more in number, but a broader audience. So we’re having it in a more neutral venue, and we’re really getting the word out because we want a bigger, more diverse audience.”
“Lord Can You Hear Me?” tells the story of two sisters brought up in the church, taught the ways of Christ and what it means to be a Christian. As they mature, their lives take them in totally separate directions, but the spirit of Christ eventually brings them back to the church and to each other.
For weeks after the play’s May 7 performance, James heard incredible feedback and pleas for a second performance. At first the director was hesitant to ask his cast and crew to return, but the vast majority were excited to return to the big stage.
“We were so happy to get a bigger venue, better lighting and a better sound system, but it was a blessing to be able to have it in the church,” James said. “There were so many things that made it great at that church. And simpler – even though this is a bigger stage, it comes with more obstacles.
“But at the same time, we get to perform it on a real stage and our musicians will be in the orchestra pit,” he continued. “Overall, it’s been great. We’re all learning together how to deal with this monster of a venue as compared to what we came from.”
The encore performance of “Lord Can You Hear Me?” will be held on Saturday, July 23 at 5 p.m. at Mansfield Senior High School. Admission is $5.
Though he plans for a bigger and better show, James hopes the message of bringing people to Christ remains the same.
“There’s more music, more performance, we’ve added songs and drama to some scenes,” he said. “The majority of the play stays the same, but I thought with this type of venue we have to make it a bigger production.”
