Apollinaire Theatre Company Presents Lucas Hnath's THE CHRISTIANS

The Christians is a play about a charismatic pastor who has had a revelation, that asks difficult questions about belief and faith, family and community, and the need for a place called Hell.

Twenty years ago, Pastor Paul's church was nothing more than a modest storefront. Now he presides over a congregation of thousands, with classrooms for Sunday School, a coffee shop in the lobby, and a baptismal font as big as a swimming pool. Today should be a day of celebration. But Paul is about to preach a sermon that will shake the foundations of his church's belief.

Michael Poignand will play the lead role of Pastor Paul. After pursuing acting as a career in New York for nearly 17 years, Michael left the city and moved back to his native Commonwealth with his wife director Bryn Boice (Julius Caesar, Blue Kettle/Here We Go). He was a nominee for the 2018 Elliot Norton Awards for his performance in Or by Liz Duffy Adams at the new blackbox theater at the Chelsea Theatre Works. Michael launched his career in New York playing Badger in The Wind in the Willows at the New Victory Theatre in 1998. Since then he's worked extensively on Regional and Off-Broadway stages including: Syracuse Stage, The Fulton Opera House, HERE, Manhattan Repertory Theatre, The Players Theatre, Theatre Row (Lion), Theatre54, The Harry de Jur Playhouse, Clementé Soto Velez Cultural Center (Flamboyán and La Tea Theatres) and the Boston Center for the Arts.

Director Brooks Reeves made his Boston area directing debut at Apollinaire last spring with Winter Solstice. He recently played Bottom in our Midsummer Night's Dream, his ninth show with Apollinaire, having previously appeared in Three Sisters, The Visit, Hamlet, Brilliant Adventures, Midsummer, From White Plains, Blood Wedding, and the Norton winning Stupid f-ing Bird. Winner of the 2015 IRNE Award for best supporting actor (small company), Brooks has worked with the Golddust Orphans (Legally Blind: The Hellen Keller musical), Bridge Rep (Julius Caesar, The Libertine), Stoneham Theater (Neville's Island), Company One (An Octaroon, Shockheaded Peter), Central Square Theater (Arabian Nights), Zeitgeist Stage (Love! Valour! Compassion!, Bent, Boys in the Band), Hub Theatre of Boston, Brown Box, Happy Medium, and Bad Habit Productions.

Performances of The Christians are February 15-March 9, 2019

Fri. & Sat. at 8:00, Thurs. Feb. 28 & March 7 at 7:30, Sun. February 24 and March 3 at 3:00

Press Night: Sat. Feb. 16, 8:00

Performances are at the Chelsea Theatre Works, 189 Winnisimmet St., Chelsea.

Tickets are $30, $25 seniors, $15 students

Tickets can be purchased by calling (617) 887-2336 or on-line at www.apollinairetheatre.com

Information and directions at www.apollinairetheatre.com