What’s a nice Jewish girl like me who works for a nice Jewish media company doing reviewing a play called “The Christians”? As it turns out, “The Christians,” the opening production of Baltimore Center Stage’s 2017 fall season, has important, deeply thought-provoking messages for theater-goers of all backgrounds. It’s also beautifully acted, cleverly designed and extremely timely.
Go see this play, which will be presented at Baltimore Center Stage at 700 North Calvert St. through Oct. 8. Even better, catch tonight’s performance, which will be followed by an interfaith panel discussion at approximately 9:45 p.m.
Facilitated by Robyn Murphy, Center Stage’s public relations manager, the panel will include Steven Harvey, Buddhist chapter leader of Soka Gakkai International; Imam Tariq Najee-ullah of the of the Muslim Community Cultural Center of Baltimore; Del. Antonio L. Hayes (D-40th); Rabbi Elissa Sachs-Kohen of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation; and Father James A. Casciotti of St. Ignatius Catholic Community in Baltimore.
Written by Lucas Hnath and directed by Hana S. Sharif, “The Christians” opens in an unexpected way. Accompanied by a live band, members of three local church choirs, along with actors from the production, walk onto the stage — designed to look like a contemporary mega-church sanctuary— waving to the audience and greeting one another. Then, they break into song. The audience, singing and clapping along, feels like part of the congregation.
Soon, it’s time for the congregation’s sermon by the popular, handsome and charismatic Pastor Paul, played by the immensely talented Howard W. Overshown. Pastor Paul opens the sermon with some good news — the megachurch’s building is completely paid off and the church is financially stable. But what Pastor Paul says next comes as a shock to many congregants. God has spoken to him, he says, and informed him there is no such thing as hell or Satan. Even those who don’t accept Jesus as their savior can enter heaven, according to the pastor.
Pastor Paul’s sermon shatters the foundation of many of his congregants, calling their entire belief system into question. Some leave the church to follow Associate Pastor Joshua (Adam Gerber) who insists on strict adherence to fundamental beliefs; others remain loyal to Pastor Paul. Still, others such as Sister Jennie (Jessiee Datino) struggle to maintain their loyalty in the face of confusion and conflict.
Even Pastor Paul’s relationship with his beloved wife, Elizabeth (played by the beautiful and gifted Nikkole Salter), is wearing thin. The pastor’s new perspective is at odds with her own views, and she is angry that he has alienated congregants without any thought for how it will affect their family. Will their marriage last? Will the church remain open?
In any case, finding out the answers to those questions won’t keep you from leaving the theater with plenty of others. What is the nature of sin? Do heaven and hell exist? Is faith enough? How does intolerance hurt our relationships with others, God and ourselves? What happens when community members disagree? Why do we believe what we believe, and what if that changes?
For so many reasons, “The Christians” is a treat for mind and spirit. Go see it!
For information, visit centerstage.org.
Top photo: Micah Linzy-Young and the Greater Baltimore Church of Christ Choir. (Photo by Richard Anderson)
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