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Christa Scott-Reed, Nadia Bowers, Rob Nagle. Photo: Russ Rowland.
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By Jason Odell Williams
Directed by Markus Potter
New World Stages
UPDATE: EXTENDED THROUGH SEPT. 3
UPDATE: EXTENDED THROUGH SEPT. 3
By Lauren Yarger
It's easy to be in favor of the right to bear arms -- until your own world is rocked by a shooting.
That's the conclusion that North Carolina's conservative Senator Charles Whitmore (Rob Nagle) in Jason Odell William's dark comedy Church and State at New World Stages.
Though he knows pro-Second-Amendment rights are at the heart of his conservative political base, Whitmore changes his mind about allowing more controls on gun sales when a gunman shoots up an elementary school classroom in town and kills two friends of his children. His reversal on the issue just three days before the election doesn't sit well with his campaign manager, Alex Klein (Christa Scott-Reed), or his wife, Sara (Nadia Bowers). They are afraid he will endanger a future run for the White House.
Things go from bad to worse, however. In pondering the horrible tragedy, Whitmore finds himself wondering whether he believes in a God who would allow such a horrible tragedy -- and says so to a political blogger (Jonathan Louis Dent) whose Tweet “Senator Whitmore Speaks Out Against Guns, God and Prayer” threatens to go viral.
Williams allows himself some stereotypes when writing about Christian characters, like having Sara be stupid:
"Yeah, you know. Like when you peel off a sticker and the little piece of paper left behind...? You put a bunch of them in a bag, toss 'em in the air, they float down all pretty and festive. Sticker Tape Parade."
Though he knows pro-Second-Amendment rights are at the heart of his conservative political base, Whitmore changes his mind about allowing more controls on gun sales when a gunman shoots up an elementary school classroom in town and kills two friends of his children. His reversal on the issue just three days before the election doesn't sit well with his campaign manager, Alex Klein (Christa Scott-Reed), or his wife, Sara (Nadia Bowers). They are afraid he will endanger a future run for the White House.
Things go from bad to worse, however. In pondering the horrible tragedy, Whitmore finds himself wondering whether he believes in a God who would allow such a horrible tragedy -- and says so to a political blogger (Jonathan Louis Dent) whose Tweet “Senator Whitmore Speaks Out Against Guns, God and Prayer” threatens to go viral.
Williams allows himself some stereotypes when writing about Christian characters, like having Sara be stupid:
"Yeah, you know. Like when you peel off a sticker and the little piece of paper left behind...? You put a bunch of them in a bag, toss 'em in the air, they float down all pretty and festive. Sticker Tape Parade."
She also gets drunk when Whitmore does well in the polls (probably not likely for most Southern conservatives). And she and Alex, a success-driven, liberal New York Jew, don't get along very well. But the playwright also surprises by making the characters likable and not making them close minded. He also incorporates a bunch of Scripture into the text. The plot takes an interesting turn and Whitmore's speech calling for common sense on gun-control laws is passionate and totally believable.
"And I suddenly saw what my purpose was: Not to sit at home or in church and quietly pray for things to change. But to actually do something to stop other families from having to suffer the same tragedy. For as the Good Book says, “A person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” So my work begins right now: I believe we need a common sense approach to our gun laws, and that starts with stricter background checks and closing loopholes to make sure events like Oak Grove never happen again."
Director Markus Potter creates a nice balance between humor and serious material and keeps the audience engaged for the short 75-minute production. This is a great show to attend with people with whom you'd like to have a long discussion with after....
More Information:
Church and State originally was developed with Artistic director Ralph Meranto and JCC CenterStage. At the Skylight Theatre in Los Angeles it received three Ovation Award nominations including Best Playwriting for an Original Play, Best Production (Intimate Theatre) and Best Lead Actor in a Play.
The show has been extended through Sept 3 at New World Stages, 340 West 50 th St., NYC. Tickets are $59 - $105: 212-239-6200; www.newworldstages.com
Additional credits:
"And I suddenly saw what my purpose was: Not to sit at home or in church and quietly pray for things to change. But to actually do something to stop other families from having to suffer the same tragedy. For as the Good Book says, “A person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” So my work begins right now: I believe we need a common sense approach to our gun laws, and that starts with stricter background checks and closing loopholes to make sure events like Oak Grove never happen again."
Director Markus Potter creates a nice balance between humor and serious material and keeps the audience engaged for the short 75-minute production. This is a great show to attend with people with whom you'd like to have a long discussion with after....
More Information:
Church and State originally was developed with Artistic director Ralph Meranto and JCC CenterStage. At the Skylight Theatre in Los Angeles it received three Ovation Award nominations including Best Playwriting for an Original Play, Best Production (Intimate Theatre) and Best Lead Actor in a Play.
The show has been extended through Sept 3 at New World Stages, 340 West 50 th St., NYC. Tickets are $59 - $105: 212-239-6200; www.newworldstages.com
Additional credits:
David Goldstein (scenic design), Burke Brown (lighting design), Dianne K. Graebner (costume design), Eric T. Lawson (sound design).
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FACTORS:
--God's name taken in vain
-- Minor Language
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FACTORS:
--God's name taken in vain
-- Minor Language
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