More than a musical, more than an aerial spectacle, more than a martial arts performance, The Thorn rises beyond anything you’ve ever seen.

April 21st, 2026

Tuesday Night at the Kravis Center, I saw the opening night of The Thorn to a packed audience. I have seen dozens and dozens of shows there, but for the first time when The Thorn ended, all that I could say was, ‘Wow!’ I was completely speechless.

I had previously interviewed Sarah Bolin, who created The Thorn, alongside her husband and Author John Bolin. So, I had an understanding of the show and what to expect but The Thorn blew all of my expectations away. Most of the nationally ranked shows in America are good at hitting on your emotional values. They have moments of laughter, astonishment, and tears. The Thorn doesn’t just hit on these, but rather it pounds on them.

My face literally hurt from laughing so hard. I was so riveted at times, that I struggled to stay in my seat. My heart-strings were played with such velocity that self-containing my tears was simply impossible. This show and embodying the story, which is ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told,’ embarked on the deepest personal level with generosity and reverence. John Bolin in describing the show is quoted saying, “It’s a story full of love, sacrifice, spiritual warfare, and redemption.”

In case you haven’t already figured it out, the story-in-hand is centered around the life of Jesus Christ. It’s not, though, just a simple documentary featuring the most common events from His life. It tells the story in a unique manner that brings new richness to His life. The narrative of The Thorn, which brings it all together, is showcased around the life of the disciple John, or rather which he deemed himself, “Jesus’s favorite disciple.”

John, ‘The disciple whom Jesus loved,’ played by Jim Miles was absolutely brilliant. He might be the best character I’ve ever seen written and performed. His believable and exaggerated acting range has set a new standard for on-stage performances.

The Thorn, however, was so much more than great acting, it was also filled with grandiose performances that helped tell the story in an artful way. The angelic presence of the aerialist added another layer to what you were seeing. The dance ensembles and the martial artists, with their flips and sword play, were mesmerizing, but managed to keep you glued to the story instead of taking you away from it.

Jesus’s final week on earth before His resurrection is known as the Passion Week. During this week are two of many gut wrenching displays of love and sacrifice. The first is Jesus being scourged and the other is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross. With every lashing by the Romans and the hammering of the three nails, you didn’t just hear it, you felt it.

In one of the most epic performances by Taofik Lucas-Walker, who played Jesus, he fell to the ground, bloodied, having endured the most indescribable pain and was tempted by the devil. Satan himself, played by Kristopher Stein, masterfully moved snakelike towards Jesus and tried to beckon Jesus to stop and make the pain end. But our Savior endured and put His own hands back in the shackles to receive His full punishment.

If you weren’t already emotionally invested in The Thorn, out came the cross and the crucifixion scene. This was the full price for our freedom and God’s perfect sacrifice of His love for us. Because of this very sacrifice, this horrific scene became our Good News because 3 days later, Jesus rose again defeating death and the grave.

It was such a powerful scene with the stone being rolled away and seeing our resurrected Savior. The sets, backdrop, and lighting were so good and on-point that they become a character in themselves. The Thorn started with a cosmic setting of creation and ended with a backdrop of the New Jerusalem.

This was The Thorn’s first time showing at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, but with everyone now talking about it and clambering to see it and not miss out, I hope it will return again. To find out more information and see where else The Thorn will be showing, please visit their website HERE.