WHEELING – “He’s Alive,” a musical Passion play about the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ, is slated for three performances this Easter season.

The free performance, which has been performed in Wheeling since 1996, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. April 8-9 and at 3:30 p.m. April 10 at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Wheeling.

Brenda Hetzel, choral co-director, said this will be the first time the play has been performed in two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s a Passion play about Christ – his birth, life and death and resurrection. He is the one who gives us life,” she said.

Hetzel said the play usually has about 200 people involved from vocalists to dramatists, stage crew and greeters. She noted the play, produced by Heavenbound Ministries, has always been free to the public.

“The mission is to get the word of Jesus Christ out there. That’s why we do what we do,” she said. “It’s the greatest story ever told.”

Hetzel said the play originally consisted of just the “He’s Alive” music by Claire Cloninger and arrangement by Gary Rhodes. But over the years more songs have been added, including an original piece written and performed by C.W. Waychoff titled “Can You.” Waychoff is the son of director Jeannie Waychoff.

Waychoff said the play is not relegated to the stage, but uses space around the auditorium and aisles.

“There’s a lot of activity going on. We encourage anyone to come see the performance. It’s going to be a wonderful evening,” she said.

She noted the scene when Jesus is crucified is not very gruesome in this play, which makes it more family-friendly. In fact, there are children who perform in the play, in scenes singing with Jesus.

“It’s a good way of celebrating Easter and celebrating the reason for Easter. His whole life and death and resurrection. It’s about his love for us and what he did for us to give us life,” she said.

Jesus is played by Joel McMillan in this play. Weekly rehearsals typically begin late January or early February leading up to the performance.

The theater’s doors open an hour before each performance.