The Village Elders and the Director of The Passion Play, Christian Stückl met on 17 April to select the cast for next year's Passion Play in 2010. Only those people who have been born in the village of Oberammergau, or who have lived there for more than twenty years may take part. The formal announcement was made the following day to much publicity and television coverage; - and to great amazement the innovative Director has chosen a wide selection of new talent for the principal roles. There are twenty one major roles, and two actors are chosen for each of these as a precaution against any illness.

The vow to reenact the last days of Jesus Christ was first made in 1633 when the village was spared the ravages of the plague which was then devastating Europe. The first Passion Play was performed in 1634 and 2010 will be the 41st time that the Play has been performed. As well as the twenty one major roles there are an additional 120 speaking parts, and all together more than 2,400 villagers will participate either on stage or in a variety of background or front of house roles. The theatre has an auditorium seating 4,750 and much organization is required with five performances each week. One participant will be on stage for his 11th performance !!.

One third of the performance is accompanied by music and singing, supported by a hundred strong choir, with many children singing the "Hosanna" in the Palm Sunday scene. For the 2010 Play season commencing on 15 May the performances will commence in the afternoon and end in the evening, with the Crucifixion scene enhanced by stage lighting, against the backdrop of the open air stage showing the surrounding Oberammergau hills.