Ruhl's 3-Part 'Passion Play' at Goodman Theatre, Begins 9/15

Goodman Theatre launches its 2007/2008 season with Passion Play: a cycle in three parts by Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Sarah Ruhl. British director, actor and teacher Mark Wing-Davey helms this triptych that addresses the thorny relationship between politics and religion, lust and dogma, and perception and reality, over 425 years and three controversial, politically-charged eras. Passion Play runs September 15 - October 21.

"Playwright Sarah Ruhl began what would become a three-act play after re-reading a childhood book accounting the Oberammergau Passion play and the blurring of the line between performance and reality that actors experienced when portraying Jesus or Mary," state press notes, "Using the medieval tradition of the Passion play as a framing device, a cast of 16 characters explore very personal and contemporary questions (sexuality, identity, responsibility and faith) and larger community issues (power, citizenship and war) during three times of war in history. Part One takes place in England, 1575; a small town is staging the Passion play just as the Protestant Queen Elizabeth is banishing Catholic rites and rituals, forcing the play to cease production. In Part Two, the play travels to Germany in 1934, where the man playing Christ in the famous Oberammergau Passion play is slowly drawn to the Nazi party. Hitler, who has endorsed the dramatization of the death of Christ as a way to promote his anti-Semitic agenda, attends the play. Part Three moves forward in time to Spearfish, South Dakota, the home of the Black Hills Passion play. The man playing Pontius Pilate has returned from the Vietnam War and discovers his part in the play has been given to a professional actor. Ronald Reagan visits the town while campaigning for the 1984 election."

Twelve actors play over 30 roles in over a hundred costumes and three distinct time periods.  The cast includes Joaquín Torres (John the Fisherman/Eric), Brian Sgambati (Pontius), Kristen Bush (Mary 1), Nicole Wiesner (Mary 2), T. Ryder Smith (Queen Elizabeth/Adolph Hitler/Ronald Reagan), Polly Noonan (Village Idiot/Violet); plus Alan Cox (Friar/Visiting Englishman/Young Director), Brendan Averett (Carpenter 1), Keith Kupferer (Carpenter 2), John Hoogenakker (Machinist/German Officer).

Craig Spidle (Director) returns to the Goodman where his previous credits include Oedipus Complex, Pericles, The Beard of Avon, The Black Star Line, Black Snow and As You Like It.  The design team for Passion Play: a cycle in three parts includes Gabriel Berry (Costumes), Allen Moyer (Set), James F. Ingalls (Lighting) and Cecil Averett (Sound/Composer).

Tickets to Passion Play: a cycle in three parts are $20 to $70 and may be purchased online at www.GoodmanTheatre.org, at the Goodman Theatre Box Office, 170 North Dearborn Street, or charged by phoning 312-443-3800. See calendar below for specific dates, times and prices.

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