Mesa LDS temple hosting free Easter pageant depicting life of Jesus Christ

PHOENIX — This year’s Mesa Easter Pageant, a free outdoor musical show depicting the life of Jesus Christ, will start lighting up the north lawn of the Mesa Arizona Temple on Wednesday.

The event, which runs through April 19 on every day from Tuesdays through Saturdays, entertains over 100,000 people of different faiths and beliefs every year, according to director Jenee Prince.

“It’s just an amazing experience to be gathered on the temple grounds with thousands of like-minded people to come and have a great community celebration, celebrating the resurrection,” Prince told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Monday. “I just think that we can feel God’s love, that we can feel the savior’s love.”

Mesa Easter Pageant providing free performances for 87 years

Hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the pageant has taken place for 87 years. The massive event, which involves music, dance, live animals and special effects, involves nearly 500 performers and crew members.

In 2022, organizers revamped the music in the Mesa Easter Pageant.

Composer and producer Rob Gardener created the new soundtrack, “Jesus the Christ: The Mesa Easter Pageant.” The London Symphony Orchestra and Spire Chorus recorded the music.

Performances start at 8 p.m. and end around 9:15 p.m.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Balin Overstolz McNair contributed to this report.

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