This musical has no intermission:

In the dark, we hear a crash of thunder as the music begins. 1948 AD, Jean Doresse addresses the people by saying that the discovery of the Gnostic Gospels is the most significant finding of the 20^th century and are just as valid as the Bible. He disappears.

The time of Christ, Mary, alone in silhouette, is trying to understand what this one person (we find out it’s Yeshua) saw in her that brought her to this place in her journey. (“What Did You See In Me?”) As she is questioning herself, different historical men of influence through the ages interject their firm beliefs that Mary Magdalene is a prostitute and that her gospels should be destroyed – John Wesley, Pope Gregory I, and Emperor Constantine. As the song ends, before dawn, we hear the crashing of waves and Levi is desperately trying to get Mary into the boat to avoid being captured and killed by the Roman soldiers. Mary worries about sinking in the sea with the earthen jar containing written scrolls in her hand, and their story being lost forever. She will not leave until she understands why she was chosen, and then left behind. Flashback.

A time in Mary’s past. The Little Girl runs in to help Mary, who spilled dye over all of the wool that her father was going to take to market. The Little Girl leads her to a flock of sheep, played by all the women, and Mary, understanding that this could be her solution, begins to shear them. The Little Girl transforms into one of the sheep. Yeshua enters, watching her. He walks up to Mary, who happens to be talking to one of the sheep. Mary sees Yeshua, and realizes she’s been caught in the act of stealing. Mary, being pretty presumptuous of her situation, talks about the lack of opportunities for women, blaming men for her predicament. Yeshua questions whether she is fighting hard enough. At that moment, Mary punches Yeshua in the face, much to the sheep’s chagrin, and blaming it on her “demons” that people have accused her of having. Mary claims her fight is with God – the laws and rules that make women nothing. Yeshua explains it isn’t God who made those rules, but man. If God thought women were nothing, God would have left women as nothing. Mary wants to question all of these rules and laws, and Yeshua says to go for it – blasphemy be gone. (“Closer To God”) Who is this man that actually gives Mary the permission to ask questions about things in the Bible and of God that have never made sense to her. They find that they are of like mind and curiosity, rich in questioning and rethinking how religion should be. From this, an attraction begins to develop between them.

Mary’s father, Jacob, enters yelling for her. Furious for her running away and talking to strange men, he slaps her across the face. Yeshua defends her, but to no avail. Jacob, complaining of Mary’s worthless bride-price, now is all the poorer due to Mary ruining his wool. Yeshua offers wool to him, and he takes it coldly. Jacob tells Yeshua to stay away from Mary and then pulls Mary away to leave.

Mary tries to explain to her father about the vision she had with the Little Girl, and he wants nothing of it. He will whip the visions out of her. As Mary is being whipped, the Little Girl appears and comforts her with her assurance that love is as strong as death. (“Set Me As A Seal”)

The blind midwife, Rivkah is waiting to give Mary her next training lesson as a midwife. Mary arrives late due to the whipping and Rivkah brings her over to put salve on Mary’s back. Mary blames Rivkah for the whipping because Rivkah was the one who declared Mary barren, thus not worth anything as a bride. Mary confides in Rivkah about meeting a man that day who told her that the thoughts that she always has in her head aren’t crazy, but instead tell her that she’s destined to do something profound in life.

They hear a pilgrimage passing outside. Rivkah says it is people going to the Holy City to listen to yet another Messiah. Mary longs for a life with purpose. (“Something Greater”) She envies the people outside walking to new places and adventures. Rivkah tells her to run away and leave with them. And why not? Her choice to do that couldn’t be any worse than staying home and being whipped again. Mary decides to do it, kisses Rivkah’s forehead, and runs off to join the pilgrimage.

The pilgrimage is approaching Jerusalem. (“Jerusalem”) The Little Girl runs over to Mary and pleads for Mary to save her from being sacrificed for Passover. The Little Girl becomes the lamb again and she’s on the alter inside the temple. Annas, a priest, is singing the prayer of sacrifice. Mary is horrified. She must save her. Demon 3, played by Jacob, appears to tell Mary to leave – the temple forbids women to enter. He warns her that people will think she’s crazy. Mary ignores him and tells Annas to stop. He is aghast. Mary explains that they don’t need to slaughter an innocent creature to worship God. She’s accused of being possessed.

Governor Pilatus enters. He has heard the commotion from outside and wants to know what the drama is about. Annas notes that things are under control and that this woman will be thrown out. Pilatus reminds him of their little deal: that he allows their local religion as long as they keep the peace. Annas understands. Pilatus has his soldier take Mary out into the street where people are speaking against her, that she is a demon, and possessed. They demand Mary to be killed. The Roman soldier puts his sword to her throat. Yeshua enters yelling stop. He fast-talks the soldier into letting her go versus creating a riot by killing a defenseless crazy woman. The soldier puts away his sword and tells everyone to go home.

Mary doesn’t even thank Yeshua for saving her, but instead blames him for her crazy actions of trying to save the lamb. After all, wasn’t that what he was preaching to her about before? Yeshua finds out that Mary has run away to follow the pilgrimage. He invites her to meet a couple of his friends, and then leaves, leaving the decision up to her. After thinking about it, she realizes that she doesn’t even know what his name is, so she runs after him.

The crowd is forming, yelling out for Yeshua to show up. (“Yeshua”) Peter walks up to Yeshua, pulls him aside, and tells him that hundreds have shown up because of the fact that their word is getting out. Levi welcomes Mary. She is wondering what’s going on, as Peter asks who the woman is. Yeshua says that Mary is going to join them. Peter is aghast at the thought that they are aligning themselves with a woman. They don’t need that kind of controversy at this juncture. Yeshua is unfazed. He wants Mary to join him, and warns Peter to be careful, that Mary isn’t one to be trifled with. She is equal to every one of them. Peter totally disagrees while Levi agrees.

Mary realizes that Yeshua is who the crowds want to see – he couldn’t be this new Messiah, could he? Yeshua stands out front and speaks a parable about the sower and the seed. (“Seeds of Wisdom”) Annas and Pilatus are observing from afar. Annas is surprised by the sheer numbers. Pilatus realizes he must find Yeshua’s weakness.

Yeshua continues to speak to the people. Even if they are in bondage or exile, there will always be a place in heaven for them. (“We Are Blessed”) The crowd is listening to every word. Mary asks Yeshua if he is the Messiah. He’s not sure about that, but he is certain that God has a plan for him as well as for her.

Back afar, Annas requests Pilatus to arrest Yeshua and his group – he is getting too popular with the crowds and a threat to their faith. Pilatus decides that Yeshua’s followers need to turn against Yeshua first. Then his death is easy. During the chanting, the crowds start wanting to get closer and closer to Yeshua. They push down an old woman in the front. Mary sees what happens and quickly runs down there to save her. She breaks apart the crowd and crouches down to help the woman. The old woman tells Mary that if she were able, that she would be bowing down to Mary. Mary responds by saying that she should bow down to the old woman – one of the lights of the world. Mary then bows to the old woman. The crowd is stunned. To a supportive fury of “We Are Blessed,” Yeshua carries the old woman to the top of the hill and offers her water. He then has Mary join him again in front of the crowds, much to their adoration.

From afar, Annas doesn’t like what he sees. Pilatus believes he now has found Yeshua’s weakness – that woman. The same woman who was at the temple. Mary.

It is night and Mary is sleeping. She hears a bleating lamb, and the Little Girl appears. Mary asks why the Little Girl is in her dreams. The Little Girls soothes Mary by singing a Psalm about the sacred spices. (“Song Of Songs”) She tells Mary to anoint Yeshua with the spikenard that she has. Mary refuses, knowing that spikenard is reserved only for woman with a husband. The Little Girl declares that Mary loves Yeshua. Mary denies this, but then the Little Girls states that Yeshua is in love with her. Mary couldn’t possibly believe her – she is nothing compared to him.

Demon 3 shows up again, accusing Mary of being a whore. Demon 2, played by Annas, accuses her of terribly wrong feelings. Demon 1, played by Peter, accuses her of being nothing compared to Yeshua. The Little Girl tries to tell Mary that those demons don’t really exist. The Demons scream to stay away from Yeshua. The Little Girl shoos the Demons away and she disappears.

Mary wakes up overwhelmed. She looks up to the stars and ask for God’s help. (“Who Are You? – Part I”) Yeshua startles her, neither of them could sleep. He wonders if God had planned this secret rendezvous, since the stars were winking at them. Mary can’t believe that. She still believes that God is a jealous and vengeful God. Yeshua questions that with her. (“What Is He? – Part II”) Bonding with identical philosophies, surrounded by the energies of God, and their love for each other, they marry together under the swirling of stars.

The next day, the crowds are at the River Jordan to wash away their sins. (“Waters Of The River”) Mary and Yeshua join them. Peter is not happy about the fact that Mary is still with him. Yeshua informs Peter that they are married. Peter is furious.

Rivkah comes to join the crowd. Yeshua thinks that Mary should baptize her, much to Mary’s dismay. Peter is vocally against it, but Yeshua states that God’s work has room for everyone. Yeshua and Mary begin to baptize the crowd after Rivkah’s baptism. Peter talks to Levi, worried about the consequences of Yeshua and Mary being married. He sees her as being trouble. Levi tries to settle Peter down. Peter becomes more jealous of Yeshua and Mary, especially since women aren’t even allowed to learn. Mary is overcome by the amazing energy of baptism. Yeshua wants Mary to speak about it to the crowds, to talk from her heart. Even Levi is uncomfortable with this – it’s going too far. But Yeshua encourages Mary, and timidly, she speaks about never having a real family, and that this feels like she finally belongs. Yeshua gives her a new name, Magdalene – the watchtower, the strong-hold. The crowd embraces the new title for Mary, now Mary the Magdalene.

Annas enters, saying that rituals are reserved for the priests in temples, and that a woman cannot preach the word of God. Pilatus enters. The Roman Soldier strikes Levi down when he doesn’t automatically bow to the Governor. Mary’s runs to Levi to help him. Annas tells Pilatus that Yeshua, Mary, and the followers are breaking the law: preaching on unconsecrated ground, not being a priest, and a woman preaching. Yeshua states everyone has the power to know the word of God, including women. Pilatus tells him he’s breaking the law. Yeshua dares him to stone him to death right then and there. Mary cries out no. The soldier strikes Mary across the faced and she falls to the ground. Yeshua offers himself to Pilatus. He agrees and has the soldier strike him down and kick him. He has Yeshua and Mary arrested.

Levi and Peter lead the bewildered crowd. They decide that they are going to form a vigil outside the Governor’s palace. (“Strength and Retribution – Part I”)

Mary is struck to the floor in front of Pilatus. He calls her a trouble-maker. Pilatus tells her that she can be killed at any point with a snap of his fingers. Pilatus calls Yeshua a trickster or phony, and that he is playing to the crowd’s gullible side. Mary states Yeshua preaches the truth. Pilatus however, is the Governor of the land, with great strengths and powers of law. (“My Strength and Retribution – Part II”) He makes it clear that there is only one Caesar, one Governor of the land, and if another challenges his authority, well, he has no choice but to stop it by elimination and slaughter. But, Mary can stop that from happening and at the same time, she can also stop Yeshua from the same fate. She just has to go out to the people and tell them that Yeshua is a fraud. Mary says no.

Disappointed, Pilatus gives Mary to Annas, tells him to do whatever he wants to her, and then leaves. Annas demands she be cleansed and that the way to cleanse her is to assault her. (“The Assault”) She fights back but is not strong enough. The Demons appear and condemn her to her destiny – to be the whore she really is. Mary screams out that the Demons are wrong. Annas, getting frustrated with her distractions, wants this crazy woman to be silent. Besides, he only sees himself and Mary in the room, alone. Yeshua appears in another location. He is being whipped and is screaming in pain. Mary screams for him. The Demons press on with their insults and Mary finally screams to leave her alone. The Little Girl appears and calms her with the words of God’s love. Mary gets strength and sings that “we are blessed.” Annas, stunned by her change, accuses her of being mad, and calls the guard in to remove her from his sight.

Outside, the soldier releases both Mary and Yeshua, and they embrace. From the distance, Annas asks Pilatus if it was wise to free them. Pilatus had underestimated Mary’s dedication to Yeshua. Now he sees that instead, they must change their tactics by now working the emotions of the crowds instead. Let the crowds do their dirty work.

Peter, celebrating the return of Yeshua, tells the crowd to go spread the good news. (“Our Strength and Retribution – Part III”)

Mary tells Yeshua that his followers aren’t safe and that they are going to be slaughtered. The only way to save them is for Yeshua and Mary to run away. Yeshua says no. They must finish what they started. The authorities only want him and whatever does come, they will face it together. (“Two Lives”) During this song, we watch the last 5 days of events, the laying down of palms, the last supper. Yeshua tells them, Mary in particular, to continue the message to the world.

The Roman Soldier takes Yeshua and extends his arms. He’s now crucified and going through the agony of that moment with Mary at his feet. Mary desperately tries to console him and give him strength. He dies. Mary is crushed. Peter walks over, takes Yeshua down, blames Mary for this event, and then carries him off.

The Little Girl appears. (“Song of Songs – Reprise 1”) She notices that Mary hasn’t slept in three days, and offers her some water. Mary can’t be consoled. She gets cross with the Little Girl. After all, Yeshua is dead. The Little Girl disappears and consoles her by singing again, and this time around, Yeshua finishes the song. Mary is shocked. Yeshua tells her to no longer mourn for him, that he will always be with her. (“I Am With You”) Mary should fill her heart with wisdom and love, and continue on. Yeshua walks away and the Little Girl appears again. Mary asks who she is. The Little Girl’s name is Sarah, meaning “Princess.” The Little Girl tells Mary to look into her eyes. Mary gasps. She sees Yeshua’s eyes, his smile. She is Mary and Yeshua’s daughter. How can this be possible since Mary was barren? God is love. The Little Girl laughs in celebration and runs off. The flashback is over.

Back at the shoreline, Mary is touching her stomach lovingly. Levi runs in, saying they have to leave now – dawn is here. Mary states that she now knows what to do and that she is ready to leave on the boat. Mary takes out the scrolls from the same earthen jar that Jean Doresse will discover in 1948. She now understands. (“Mary The Magdalene”) As she states that she will not go quietly into the night, dawn appears, and she places the scrolls back in the jar. Emperor Constantine, Pope Gregory I, Knight of the Templar, and John Wesley all individually come out to speak their untrue words against Mary again. Mary proclaims that nothing will stop her message. The Little Girl finishes her journey by handing over the earthen jar to Jean Doresse who proclaims that there is no Biblical evidence that Mary Magdalene was ever a prostitute, and that instead she was the enlightened one, the apostle to the apostles. After this is proclaimed, each person – Little Girl, Rivkah, the Old Woman, Pilatus, Peter, Levi, the Roman Soldier, and the rest, one by one join in on the chorus of “I am Mary, Mary the Magdalene.” They reach out to Mary as she stretches her arms to the sky, being the strong-hold to the world.