‘Glory of Easter’  Features a New Angel

By Lea Williams

Special to URBANNEWSWIRE

African Americans are continually being featured in the popular production  “The Glory of Easter” at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. For more than a quarter of a century, this production along with “The Glory of Christmas” has been offered in Southern California to appreciative audiences.

Jamie Azpeitia is one of the flying angels in this presentation. The notable baritone, Bradley P. Baker, who is marking his 11th year in this production and also the Christmas feature, joins Miss Azpeitia.   Other African Americans are also visible in various roles, which include a very talented ballet dancer, Jaha Vanderford, giving an outstanding solo performance.

Excited about her first appearance in this awesome production, Jamie soared through the air high above the audience.  She was very graceful in her flying back and forth.

A professional dancer, she is the owner of the Bowen-Hayes School of Performing Arts.  The school was named for her grandmothers; she plans a cancer benefit in October for her grandmother. She has danced with a ballet company and served as choreographer for shows in Hawaii.

Native Angeleno, Jamie was born prematurely, the doctors thought she would never walk, but her mother and grandmother enrolled her in a dancing school at age three, and the rest is history.  A graduate of the Chaminade  University in Honolulu, she majored in forensic science, the study of human movement and minored in dance and world religion.

“I’m excited and grateful each day of my life, for to be told that I would never walk and be able to dance in such a wonderful show. I’ve had an amazing journey and I’m deeply honored to be selected to perform in this production, especially coming from where I came from.  To be told that I would never walk, then dancing and now in this wonderful production. I am truly blessed!” added Miss Azpeitia.

Her acting ability is noted in her performance. She has been featured on stage in “Mary Poppins,” “Annie” “Secret Garden,” “Guys and Dolls,” and the Inland Dance Co. She also appeared in “Ballroom America,” and has trained at the Claremont Children’s Theatre, studying jazz and ballet.

As Simon of Cyrene, Bradley’s powerful voice rings throughout the glass sanctuary as he sings the spiritual, “Were You There?”  This followed his assisting Jesus in carrying the cross and the crucifixion.

He has been featured in the Crystal Cathedral in its “Hour of Power” television service, and he conducts the choir at the Congregation Church of Christian Fellowship each Sunday.

This passion play  is a phenomenal  event for the family. Since its beginning in 1984, more than 950,000 people have enjoyed it. Six angels fly  as high as 80 feet and can travel 20 miles per hour.  Animals are an integral part of the production, a donkey, five horses, water buffalo, baby camel, llama, piglets, miniature burro, peacocks, sheep and goats are featured.

The production will be presented through April 7. For information, call (714) 54-GLORY.