Few productions in the Theatrical World have been around longer than the Theatrical Makeup of Mehron. In Union City, NJ, year after year for the last ninety four years, The Passion Play has been performed by a local community theater group. Claiming to be America's Longest Running Play, The Passion Play currently performed at the Park Performing Arts Center located at 560 32nd Street, Union City, NJ across the Hudson River from the Great White Way has exposed generations to their first theater experience. Built in 1932, five years after Mehron Makeup first appeared on the stages of Broadway, The Park Theater was constructed to house The Passion Play presented by a local parish steeped in German and Swiss heritage.The German, Swiss Parishioners led by Pastor Joseph Grieff modeled The Passion Play after a German Tradition dating back to 1634. The German version of The Passion Play is performed once every ten years, whereas The Passion Play in Union City, NJ performed at the Park Theater is produced every year. although the script, costumes, sets and makeup has evolved over the last ninety four years, the yearly production of The Passion Play has remained constant since 1915.
The Passion Play, at one time billed as Veronica's Veil, is the story of the last days in the life of Jesus Christ. Originally performed by parishioners of St, Joseph's Church in their auditorium, Veronica's Veil was an in house Parish Production that was recognized as a significant theatrical event worthy of coverage by Time magazine as long ago as 1934. In the Time Magazine feature section entitled, Religion, with a dateline of February 26, 1934, the Passion Play, then called Veronica's Veil was already being applauded as an American Institution, "A salesman named Leonard Mathews has been Caiphas the High Priest for twelve years. Tall Paul Mallon, 22, jeweler's clerk, plays Christus. He is the only actor who speaks no lines. Costumed by women of the parish, paid nothing for their work, the cast of Veronica's Veil rehearses three months every year, goes into a retreat to prepare spiritually for the 25 performances. As "America's Passion Play" opened its 630th presentation last week it was estimated 1,000,000 people from all parts of the world will have seen it before its current run closes."
Across the Hudson River in 1934 Broadway productions opened and closed on a regular basis, and since then thousands of productions have drawn their final curtain in the shadow of Union City, NJ, home to America's longest running Theatrical Production. The Passion Play production currently relies on the talents of a combination of Professional Actors, Community Theater Actors and Amateur Actors celebrates its 95th year. The Passion Play is a yearly limited engagement, ticket reservations and group sales are encouraged well in advance if you plan on visiting the New York City area during the annual run of The Passion Play.
As a Professional Theatrical Makeup Company that knows something about longevity in the world of the theater, Mehron Makeup, founded in 1927 salutes the Performers and Production Staff of The Passion Play, Veronica's Veil for continuing their historic run for ninety-five years.
