Home

What's it all about?
Welcome to The Baptist Web site, home of the new rock opera The Baptist, by writer and music minister James Gulisano. Is it a John the Baptist musical? Yes -- but it's more than that. It's a bona fide rock opera! The Baptist is a high-energy rock experience based on the life and death of John the Baptist, reminiscent of other biblical story-based musicals such as "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "Godspell."

To Listen ...

Original Concept Recording: Or, if you'd simply like to enjoy listening to the music of the show, you can purchase the original cast album. Information on the cast members and music samples.

To Perform ...

Scores & Reference Tracks: The Baptist is available in conventional "scored" printed music. Reference tracks for rehearsal purposes are available as part of this package. Instruments include:

Piano/Synthesizer (some string sounds)
Lead Electric Guitar
Rhythm Guitar
Electric Bass
Trumpet
Drums
Vocal/Choral parts

No Band? No Problem. Purchase rights to the "Show in a Box" version. The Baptist is available for live performance via pre-recorded instrumental backing tracks -- the same music as used on the original cast album! Song samples.

Who Can Perform The Baptist?

Anyone. The show is suitable for:

Theater groups
Church groups
Youth groups
Amateurs
Professionals

It's a great way to share the story of John the Baptist. Whether you choose live music or prerecorded, a tiny stage or a stadium, this is an easy show to put together. The sets can be as simple or elaborate as you like.

How do I secure the rights to perform The Baptist?
Simple. Click here for pricing and information. Pricing is determined based on the nature of the performance (amateur/professional, liturgical, size of theatre, intended price of tickets, etc....). The basic package includes a CD set of the original cast album, a CD set of backing tracks and lead sheets. Also included are staging recommendations.

For more information, email to BaptistRights@thebaptistrockopera.com or fill out this Request for Information form.

Why a show based on John the Baptist?

John the Baptist is an extremely important person in the story of Jesus. He was precursor to Christ -- the one who prepared His way. Adored by his followers and feared by Herod Antipas (the tetrarch of Galilee), John the Baptist preached of the coming Lord and offered baptisms in the Jordan River. He was a cousin of Jesus Christ and many wondered if John himself was the Messiah. He set the stage for Jesus, and in fact, baptized Jesus Himself.

His tragic end was extraordinary, eclipsed only by his amazing life. He was a man of the wilderness, who dressed in camel skin, lived a pious life and subsided on a diet that included locusts. He was and is revered as a righteous man whose devotion to God was unwavering. Learn more about John the Baptist.

What biblical figures are featured in The Baptist?

The Angel Gabriel (Uton Evan in the original concept recording)
Zachary, John the Baptist's father (Bill Blois in the original concept recording)
Mary, mother of Jesus (Stephanie Carr in the original concept recording)
John the Baptist (Eric Winzenried in the original concept recording)
Andrew, a disciple of John who later joined Jesus (Doug McLaughlin in the original concept recording)
Sadducees and Pharisees (David Rittenhouse and Brett Peterson in the original concept recording)
Jesus Christ (James Gulisano in the original concept recording)
Herod Antipas (Craig Stevens in the original concept recording)
Herodias, wife of Herod Antipas (Teresa Roccanova in the original concept recording)
Salome, daughter of Herodias (Julie Eliot in the original concept recording)
An Angel (Maimee Her in the original concept recording)

Ensemble- The People of Jerusalem & Disciples (Nicholas Eriksen, Bahar Isteben, Katelyn Farago, Chelsea Varga, Pauline Foley, Amber Rae Lashway, Elizabeth Barone, Catherine Roth, Caleb Oliver, Pauline Foley, Daniel Grayber, Brian Vetter)

Herod's Guards (Darren Edwards & Jeff Penque)

Learn more about the exceptional cast of performers you'll find on the Original Cast Album.

This page was last modified on Tuesday, November 01, 2011