By AMY H. ROBERTS

The legendary “Mission Play”, chronicling the establishment of the Missions in California and the beginning of the Golden State’s modern history, took on a re-imagined and revitalized form during a recent production for the City of San Gabriel’s Centennial from April 5-7.

The modern adaptation shared with current residents the rich and diverse history of the Missions, the cultures that lived in the area and the establishment of the modern San Gabriel Valley. It also offered a glimpse of a wildly successful piece of theater history.

Although modernized and updated, the 2013 show was grounded in the original ground breaking play. A California classic, the “Mission Play” was written in 1911 by Los Angeles Times columnist, congressman and California poet laureate John Steven McGroarty. Originally a pageant play including long periods of song and dance, the “Mission Play” presented the dramatic story of the founding of the California Missions. The show followed the struggles of the Francisan Fathers, led by Father Junipero Serra, as they built 21 missions throughout the state. These efforts were the birth of today’s State of California, the City of San Gabriel and the entire Los Angeles region.

“The incredible thing about doing the “Mission Play” is all the history that’s involved,” said Jonathan Salisbury, marketing coordinator at the Mission Playhouse and director of the 2013 production.

The long-running success of the original play was unprecedented. The “Mission Play” ran for 20 years and spanned nearly 4,000 performances.

“For 20 years, the play was a destination. It put San Gabriel on the map in many people’s minds back in those days,” Salisbury said.

The original show was so successful that the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse was built to accommodate it. Dedicated in 1927, the Mission Playhouse took seven years to build, seats 1,400 and houses tapestries donated by the King of Spain, a fully operational Wurlitzer Theatre Organ, a beautifully carved ceiling and more.

This magnificent historical theater again played host to the “Mission Play,” in early April, this time transformed into a modern version well suited to the city’s centennial celebration.

“The Mission Play is just over 100 years old now, making it a perfect part of the city’s centennial celebrations,” Anna Cross, Producer, said.

The recent production is the first time the “Mission Play” has been performed in more than six decades. After 20 successful years, the original play closed in 1932 due to pressures stemming from the Great Depression. In its heyday, this legendary play was seen by more than 2.5 million people and was even considered for Broadway. The “Mission Play,” however, had not been performed since 1947.

After sitting dormant for more than 60 years, the play’s centennial version shared history with new generations. The updated version kept true to the story of Father Serra’s struggles to bring Catholicism to the state while incorporating more of the experience of the Native Americans who provided much of the work in building the missions. The recent production also noted many of the historical changes that San Gabriel has experienced since the play was first introduced. Both the original pageant play and the 2013 version were replete with rousing songs, vibrant dance, stunning costumes, history, diversity and more.

Framed in the modern day, the reinvigorated “Mission Play” followed a group of teenagers as they traveled back in time to look at the Mission’s history. It highlighted other modern twists such as popular culture and the area’s growing Asian-American population.

The 2013 show included dancers from Spanish, Native American and Chinese cultures. It also featured artifacts from the original “Mission Play,” such as a shawl used in the very first production, as well as other historical artifacts. The recent play also included members of the local Gabrieleno- Tongva tribe.

This Native American tribe was an integral part of building those first missions and establishing the area as the birthplace of the entire Los Angeles region.

“Some of the dancers and singers in the show are Native American people who are direct descendents of the people who lived in the San Gabriel Mission not long after it was built in 1771,” Salisbury said.

The key to the success of the “Mission Play,” from its most recent production to its historic run in the early 20th century, is simply the story that it shares with audiences.

With so much history involved, the “Mission Play” resonates with San Gabriel residents and others throughout the valley. From the history it shares, to its early unprecedented success to the opulent auditorium it gave rise to, the “Mission Play” is an important part of San Gabriel’s past.