Journey to the Garden

03.11.26 11:52 PM - Comment(s) - By Rich

The crucifixion scene in Amman, Jordan.

Start your Passion Week with an immersive experience from Palm Sunday to the Resurrection. Rich Swingle has performed this one-man play across America, Jordan, and Israel. He performed an excerpt on the Debilly Bridge in Paris during the 2024 Olympics.* Experience it live or live streamed.


The most recent performance was at Westchester Chapel on March 28. Here are what people had to say: 


Rich, your performance was an utter balm and joy to witness! Konstantine is 2 and I didn’t expect him to watch intently but he started crying so sadly as you played Jesus being tortured. Balderich, 5, was so into the performance and could understand what was going on very clearly! Thanks again for making it come alive for us!!
--Christina Vincent
Actress, Writer, Educator

This will stay with us forever.
--Ron Flodquist
Oxford, CT

The Scriptures came alive in a deeper way!!  I will be playing these scenes over and over in my memory during this Passion Week!  Glory to God!!

--Nancy Rife

Prayer Leader for Intercessors for America

Director of the Upper Peninsula House of Prayer at Father’s Heart Church in Ishpeming , Michigan


Well done! Very powerful! May all those who watched it be filled with thanks and amazement at the love of Christ for us at the cost of His life. May they all remember the true meaning of Easter. 🙏❤️🙌

--Cathi Scorcia


This performance will be available through Easter, April 5, 2026...

Quotes from Previous Performances...

I am so thankful that you came to call us to remember the Journey to the Garden ... and all that our Lord accomplished for us in His great love. It was a wonderful evening. The chairman of the Elders left me a message last night that he had never been in a service that had impacted him so powerfully. He thought it was the best communion service (and Good Friday service) that he had ever attended and thanked me deeply for having you come. That sort of response has already been coming in this morning as well. So thanks for allowing God to use you. May this fruit remain!
--Sparky Pritchard
Senior Pastor
Immanuel Baptist Church
Richmond, VA

From the founders of the Creative Arts Fellowship, which hosted Journey to the Garden outdoors when they were both performing for the St. Louis Symphony...

We were all mesmerized by watching Rich (as Jesus) enacting the story of the crucifixion and the resurrection up close and personal. It brought the whole story to life for us in a new and meaningful way; especially when God showed up to create the storm with lightning, thunder, and a tornado! What will God do for you when you experience this wonderful work? Come and see!
--Paula Kasica

Christ's tomb was empty. Will yours be?
--John Kasica

Journey to the Garden
in Jerusalem

This site just outside the wall of
Jerusalem is believed to be near where
Jesus was crucified: Golgotha, or
The Place of the Skull. A number of
skulls were found here. 

For more comments about Rich's work visit What people are saying.

If you've experienced Journey to the Garden, feel free to leave a comment below...

For more on Rich's work visit RichDrama.com.

Rich has availability to bring this play in NYC and D.C. throughout Holy Week.

Book a Performance at Your Church or School

​​* If you received a postcard saying I (Rich) performed Views of the Manger on four continents, there's a funny story behind that. Joyce and I were talking about where I'd performed it, and we remembered we'd performed it in Taiwan and Kenya. After ordering the cards I looked up the photo of me washing feet in Kenya... but it was Joyce. Then I realized it was Shepherds Reflect on the 23rd Psalm that we'd performed in Taiwan and Kenya! I called to cancel the order, but somehow when I placed the order with the text you read above it re-ordered the original. So some of you got the accidentally erroneous cards. We've performed and taught on six continents, but this particular play I've only done on two. 

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