FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: thexaviercompany@gmail.com
When: February 28th through March 29th.
Who: The Xavier Company
What: Presents No Greater Love: A Passion Play for the Lenten Season
Where: Churches throughout the tri-state area.
Phone: 212-627-2100
WRITTEN BY JANEEN STEVENS
DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY CAROL FERRONE
MUSICAL DIRECTION BY GERARD DE MAN, JR.
ADDITIONAL CHOREOGRAPHY BY LUZ MARINA DIAZ
No Greater Love,
a vibrant musical drama that celebrates the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, will be performed in the sanctuary of churches throughout the tri-state area during the 2026 Lenten and Easter Seasons. Pasqualino Beltempo plays the role of Jesus and Nikki Casseri plays the role of Mary. No Greater Love also features: Benjamin Culpepper, Paul Gamble, Katie King, Valerie Mark, Brandon Schraml, Emily Upton and Tony Bartoli on percussion.
The Xavier Company, under the direction of Dr. Carol Ferrone and musical direction by Gerard DeMan, is a unique group of performing artists in residence at St. Francis Xavier Church in New York City. These professionally trained actors, singers and dancers perform original works focused on themes of faith and social justice. Founded in 1982, The Xavier Company is celebrating its forty third anniversary of performing arts ministry in the tri-state area. The Xavier Company is renowned for performances that display both spiritual content and artistic excellence.
In a review in the Ecumenist, Father John Kelly praised No Greater Love for its multicultural cast and he called this production “an impressive and moving rendition of the passion which qualifies as a hymn of reconciliation.” He added that it is free of anti-Semitic overtones found in other Passion plays. In a conversation with the director, Fr. Kelly said, “I have reviewed more than 30 Passion Plays around the world. No Greater Love is one of two that I would recommend.”
Don’t miss this captivating performance of No Greater Love that brings to life the timeless and sacred story of the passion of Jesus Christ.
Please mark No Greater Love in your publication’s calendar of events. Reviews are welcome.
Contact: Carol Ferrone, Director of the Xavier Company, 212-627-2100.
*Courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association.