MARK'S GOSPEL Features Page To Stage Post Show Discussion 6/18, Closes 6/28

Mark's Gospel, the acclaimed Chicago premiere production running through June 28 at The Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, will host a special panel discussion and post-show reception on Thursday, June 18. Following the 8 p.m. performance, audience members are invited to listen to a discussion called "From Page to Stage" and enjoy cake and coffee provided by Cullen's Bar and Grill.

The panel will address the creative process of turning the book of Mark into a theatrical production, with leading theologians sharing their thoughts on the importance of the gospel to the Christian faith. Panelists include Mark's Gospel star Max McLean; Sandy Rios, host of The Sandy Rios Show on Chicago's Christian Talk Radio, WYLL 1160 AM; Dr. Vincent Bacote, Associate Professor of Theology and Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College; Dr. Lynn Cohick, Associate Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College; and Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer, newly appointed Blanchard Professor of Theology at the Wheaton College and Graduate School and author of The Drama of Doctrine, named best theology book of 2006 by Christianity Today.

Fresh from his tour de force performance in The Screwtape Letters as Screwtape, Max McLean brings an exuberant theatricality and persuasive interpretation to a more heavenly venture - the story of Jesus. Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune raved that Mark's Gospel is "Compelling...there's nothing like seeing the entire shebang in one sitting. McLean is formidably articulate...[but] he refuses to upstage the narrative...letting the words and vivid biblical characters say what they have to say." And Hedy Weiss of the Chicago Sun-Times said "I've always found a good deal of the Bible baffling. Only after seeing Mark's Gospel did I realize what had been missing. It comes down to performance. With wit and humor Max McLean brings a dramatically rooted clarity to what is a profoundly mysterious odyssey."

Presented by the Fellowship for the Performing Arts, Mark's Gospel is believed to be the first eye witness story of Jesus. "More than any other Gospel, Mark lends itself to theatre," says Jeffrey Fiske, who also directed The Screwtape Letters. It is written as if a reporter is sending first hand reports of Jesus' remarkable journey from rural obscurity to urban sensation to political assassination. Max McLean humanizes what are often seen by secular society as distant archetypes. He plays each character as a real human being, often rendered comical in gape-mouthed incredulity by The Miracles of a man who warns them ‘not to tell anyone.' That, of course, is the very thing they do."

"Jesus is certainly a controversial figure." Max McLean says. "Yet he has been tamed by over familiarity. Bringing a theatrical lens to the original source for Christianity helps restores Jesus back to size. It is meant to surprise and delight. And I need to redeem myself for doing Screwtape these past few years."

Mark's Gospel is directed by Jeffrey Fiske who also directed The Screwtape Letters. Also from the Screwtape design team are costumes by Michael Bevins and sound design by Bart Fasbender. Scenic design is by Nick Rastenis and lighting by Jesse Klug. Both are local Chicago designers. Projection design is by Sage Marie Carter from New York. For more information, visit www.MarkOnStage.com.

The performance schedule for Mark's Gospel is Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. There is a performance on Thursday, June 18 at 8 p.m. and there is no show on June 21 at 3 p.m. Tickets range in price from $29.00 - $48.50. Tickets are $20 for students with proof of a valid ID at the box office at the time of purchase. Tickets are available by calling The Mercury Theater Box Office at 773.325.1700, TicketMaster at 312.902.1500, or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Discounted tickets for groups are also available by calling 773.969.5200.

Photo: Sandy Rios and Max McLean