March, 2014
Three in the Wilderness
A New Mystery Play by Paul Dedell and Finn Campman
Puppets built and designed by Finn Campman
Original music and score by Paul Dedell
Zara Bode, vocals; Kathy Andrew, violin; Paul Dedell, guitar and resonator; Stefan Amidon, percussion and vocals; and special guest Tony Barrand, narrator and vocals.
Scripture tells us that Jesus dwelt in the desert for 40 days, during which time he received three temptations from the Devil. His responses reveal an absolute surety, a calm rejection of the sly offerings, no matter how high the stakes. In fact, Christ’s scriptural responses seem almost rehearsed, and the outcome is never in question. It is as if Christ and the Devil are going through a pre-arranged meeting, a formal dance repeated many times and in many places.
Why? What are we to learn from this oft-repeated story as we navigate the retinue of choices we make everyday — our very own oft repeated dance with Christ and the Devil?