The Thorn Takes Its Popular Encounter With Jesus to 10 Cities in 6 States

The Thorn, a powerful and popular live theatrical event that has been seen live by more than a million people, will bring the passion of Jesus to life with performances by its cast of 40 in at least 10 cities in six states this Spring 2023.

The Thorn offers audiences a unique theatrical experience in a show that has been hailed as Cirque meets The Passion thanks to its compelling mix of drama, music, dance, martial arts, aerial acrobatics, emotionally evocative performances, and timeless spiritual perspectives. The script is based on the New Testament.

Author John Bolin created the show 25 years ago to convey the meaning of Christ's sacrificial death to a group of young people who knew little about the story of Jesus' suffering but were familiar with pain through their own practice of cutting and self-harm.

The show has evolved ever since, with the current live version returning to the original format featuring St. John, the beloved disciple, recalling his many amazing encounters with Jesus.

It's a story full of love, sacrifice, spiritual warfare, and redemption, said Bolin.

National Tour

Conceived and performed largely in churches through 2019, The Thorn was mostly shelved during the COVID pandemic and is now slated to reach broader audiences through its 10 appearances in performing arts venues.

• Alabama
  Birmingham, March 28-29, BJCC Concert Hall
• Colorado
  Denver, March 4-5, Bellco Theatre
  Loveland, March 1, Budweiser Events Center
• Florida
  Miami, April 8, Ziff Ballet Opera House
  Tampa, April 4-5, Yuengling Center
• Oklahoma
  Tulsa, March 25, Mabee Center
• South Carolina
  Charleston, March 31-April 1, Charleston Performing Arts Center
• Texas
  Dallas, March 8-9, Music Hall at Fair Park
  San Antonio, March 16-17, 2023, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
  Houston, March 21-22, Sarofim Hall

Meet The Thorn Creators

The Thorn creator John Bolin says God called him: to tell stories on the page, stage, and screen, an assignment he has now completed with the film version of The Thorn. His books include novels (The Eden Project) and Christian growth guides (So Loved, The Two Doors of Heaven, and Life Unlimited).

Sarah Bolin, John's wife, helped create the show and manages the show's national touring troupes. God asked us to trust him and open our hands, and He promised to make something beautiful happen, said Sarah.

Through a partnership with Compassion International, a ministry that helps children and their families around the world, previous tours of The Thorn encouraged 15,000 viewers to start sponsoring a child.

Jesus Trending

Although polls show that U.S. church attendance is declining, interest in Jesus is growing. The Chosen, the popular streaming series about Jesus, has racked up more than 400 million episode views—numbers that should rise following the November launch of free streams of the show.

As I first saw with my students 25 years ago, people who may have jaundiced views of Christians or churches are more open to learning about who the real Jesus was, how he lived, and what he taught, said Bolin.

While previous incarnations of The Thorn live show have been performed mostly at churches, the 2023 tour makes the show available to everyone at mainstream performing venues.

Jesus believes in accessibility, said Bolin. He wants everyone to have access to the ultimate story of love and hope. That's why he came to earth in the first place.

More Information About The Thorn

Live performance details and tickets are available at: https://www.thethorn.com/tour-dates.

The film version of the show debuts nationwide March 6-7, 2023, just before Easter weekend. Details and tickets are available at https://www.fathomevents.com/events/The-Thorn-(2023).

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The Thorn