Lucas Hnath's THE CHRISTIANS Comes To Bristol Riverside Theatre

Community, collaboration and challenging questions capture the mood at Bristol Riverside Theatre's production of The Christians by Lucas Hnath, running April 30 - May 19. The winner of the 2016 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play, The Christians tells the story of Pastor Paul, a man about to preach a sermon that will shake the foundation of his congregation's beliefs. The shocking revelation of his sermon has powerful consequences.

Directed by Matt Pfeiffer, the cast features an ensemble of professional actors: Akeem Davis as Joshua, Dan Kern as Elder Jay, Anthony Lawton as Pastor Paul, Susan McKey as Elizabeth, K. O'Rourke as Jenny, Miriam Grace Payne as Soprano Section Leader, Christopher J. Perugini as Bass Section Leader, Stephanie Rubeo as Alto Section Leader, and Dominick Sannelli as Tenor Section Leader. In the tradition of past BRT's productions Inherit the Wind, An Enemy of the People, and A Witness for the Prosecution, The Christians will feature local community members acting alongside the professional actors.

For believers and non-believers alike, The Christians is a "terrific play about the mystery of faith, and how religion can tear people apart just as it can bring them together" (The New York Times). The Obie Award-winning playwright Lucas Hnath received a 2017 Tony nomination for A Doll's House: Part 2.

With musical direction by Michael Kiley, the production brings together the creative team of Scenic Designer Paige Hathaway, Costume Designer Linda Bee Stockton, Lighting Designer Maria Shaplin, and Sound Designer Michael Kiley.

Performances of The Christians run Wednesday through Sunday until May 19 with one evening performance on Tuesday, April 30. Tickets start at $33, with discounts for students, groups and military personnel. Tickets are available by visiting brtstage.org or calling the BRT Box Office at 215-785-0100. Bristol Riverside Theatre is located at 120 Radcliffe Street in Bristol, PA.

Since 1986, BRT has continued to bring critically acclaimed professional theatre to Bucks County. The theatre is the recipient of over 71 Barrymore Award nominations for Excellence in Theatre, given annually by Theatre Philadelphia. Under the direction of Artistic Director Keith Baker, Founding Director Susan D. Atkinson, and Managing Director Kevin Maroney, the theatre serves as a cultural hub for the community. In addition to its Mainstage productions, BRT offers four concerts including the holiday tradition An American Christmas Songbook, the new play development series America Rising, and the summer theater arts camp ArtRageous. For information, visit www.brtstage.org

BRT's Summer Music Fest 2019 kicks-off June 13 with Love Is Here To Stay (June 13 - 23, 2019), followed by Woodstock at 50: A Celebration (July 18 - 28, 2019) and concludes in August with Broadway Summer Spectacular (August 15 - 25, 2019).