Walnut Creek church readies amazing ‘living pictures’ to celebrate Easter

The actors stand still as statues as they inhabit their roles in a new Easter-inspired production of “The Story” staged this week at Walnut Creek’s NorthCreek Church.

They’re supposed to.

This is no typical play but a tableau vivant — French for “living picture” — a form of performance art that dates back to medieval times.

The goal is to re-create often-famous pieces of art in a three-dimensional setting using real people and a variety of props and material. Motion would detract from the desired effect — each scene should look like a life-size version of a painting. Still, director Brent Moutier says he occasionally has an actor move just slightly, so audience members will know that — yes, indeed — they are looking at real people in the scene.

“It’s amazing how people don’t believe us when we say, ‘No, there are people in there — I promise,’” says Moutier, who is also the director of operations at NorthCreek.

The church has hosted its popular tableaux vivants for the last 11 years, but this is the first time the production is taking place at Easter. Typically, it’s held during the Christmas season.

“I think just over 30,000 people have seen it since we started,” Moutier says. “And I am always amazed how many people are here who haven’t been here before.”

Bringing new people on campus is certainly a reason to host this production, which will be performed at evening and matinees March 21-24. It’s not the only reason, though.

“Obviously, we are a church, so we are always telling people about Christ,” Moutier says. “But the reason why we are doing this is just, it’s incredibly unique. It’s a unique way to tell the biblical story.”

The 2024 presentation re-creates 13 pieces of art, beginning with works inspired by Old Testament stories and moving through the New Testament, and using the varied skill sets of some 300 volunteers.

“We look for art throughout history — even modern day artists — and then seek permission to re-create the art life-size,” Moutier says. “So if you think about ‘The Last Supper,’ for instance, our volunteers — artists, metal fabricators, all that — spend the entire year building the art from scratch. Once it’s complete, we bring it here on campus. With detailed costumes and elaborate makeup and everything, (the cast) re-creates the artwork, complemented by narration and a full orchestra and choir.”

Simply put, it’s a matter of many varying needs being met by many varying talents.

“In serving year after year, I marvel at how the Lord, the true artist, designs each individual with unique talents and blends us together in contrast and complement to display the true masterpiece that is his story,” says cast member David Helling.

Jeremy Smith, who is cast as Jesus in a “Woman at the Well” re-creation, notes that “staying still for the four-minute piece is the easy part. The hard part is the year round work that volunteers put in designing and creating the art pieces, so that others can hear of God’s perfect story.”

Moutier says the idea came from Rolling Hills Covenant Church, the church he attended as a child in Southern California. The Rolling Hills Estates church began hosting tableau vivant productions more than 30 years ago.

“Actually, when I was a kid, I was in the cast,” he remembers. “Then I was on the stage crew.”

Of course, the art form has been around much longer than that, with some types of living pictures being performed as early as during the Middle Ages. Living pictures were utilized as part of church services, as entertainment during royal weddings and other events, and as a centerpiece during community festivals and celebrations. The popularity of the art form peaked in the 19th century with the advent of photography.

The best-known modern production is likely Laguna Beach’s annual Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, which dates back to the 1930s.

“Theirs is much bigger scale,” Moutier says. “They are the professionals. We are the amateurs.”

But he’s proud of Walnut Creek’s production. “It’s a pretty incredible presentation,” he says. “I’ve seen it about 90 times, and I’m still kind of blown away every time I see it.”

And for participants, the production offers a chance to blend artistic and spiritual accomplishments.

“‘The Story’ art is created by a group of folks coming together to use their skills for a higher purpose,” says Ryan Smiley, the production’s art director.

Tickets for the production at NorthCreek Church, 2303 Ygnacio Valley Road, are $15-$25; thestoryinart.com.