The Southern California Division presented the world premiere of the musical “Spirit! II: Empire” Friday, June 8 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, with music by Kevin Larsson, lyrics by Malcolm Westwood and script by Karl Larsson. The play takes up where the 1974 Gowans and Larsson musical “Spirit” leaves off, continuing the story of Paul as he seeks to solidify the early church and deals with issues of race, class, politics and theology—struggles that still reverberate today. “Spirit! II: Empire” follows Paul’s travels through the Roman Empire, performing miracles, battling demons, planting churches and facing increasing persecution from a nervous Rome.
Pictured here are cast members Lt. Colonel Isa McDougald (elderly mother), Jonathan Vasquez (demon possessed man), Major Steve Bradley (Paul) and Rachel Vasquez (Ananias). See more at thegatheringpix.com.
“Spirit! II: Empire” will be presented again Saturday, June 9 at 3 p.m. at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.