The Hit Play "The Thorn" is Coming to Movie Theaters

Seen by more than one million people on the stage, the production about Christ releases on the silver screen next week.

A scene of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane from "The Thorn." Image: Fathom Events/Bridgehouse.

Described as "cirque meets the passion of Jesus," the stage play The Thorn has dazzled theater audiences for 25 years. Now it will roll out in movie theaters for a two-day limited engagement.

A digital poster for "The Thorn." Image: Bridgehouse.

From Creation through the life, death and resurrection of Christ, the tale is told to a young boy by the Apostle John as he endures exile on the island of Patmos as an old man. And "the one whom Jesus loved," as John 13:23 puts it, points the boy to the Gospel throughout this production, which is a faith-based play that has been filmed for movie screens.

Do not let that put you off, though, because The Thorn is dynamic, featuring aerial acrobatics, modern dance, martial arts fight scenes and high drama. A synopsis states that it "shares history's most epic story: God's love for the world amidst the spiritual battle for all of humanity," and does so in "a spectacular way."

Originally created for teenagers by then youth pastors John and Sarah Bolin, the production displays some graphic scenes of violence related to Jesus' crucifixion that may be inappropriate for children under 12 years of age, according to its website. That said, the company behind the play adds that over the years, it has "heard from countless families with younger attendees that have (had) an amazing experience."

The Thorn will be in movie theaters for just two days next week - Monday, March 6th and Tuesday, March 7th - and you can find a venue in your area and purchase tickets via this link to the website of distributor Fathom Events. In the meantime, the trailer below will a good sense of what to expect.