This month, the modestly-sized Hyde Park Theatre has been transformed into the smallest megachurch you're likely run across. That's because they're staging a production of The Christians, by Lucas Hnath, which is set in just such a church.
This is only the second worldwide production of The Christians; after a well-received premiere at the 2014 Humana Festival, several theaters clamored to get the rights, but Hyde Park beat the others to the punch.
The play centers around Pastor Paul (played by Hyde Park artistic director Ken Webster), who has come to the conclusion that he no longer believes in the existence of hell. This puts him at odds with Brother Joshua (Joey Hood), and their theological debate forms the heart of the play.
The Christians uses humor to explore its themes of faith, belief, and the ways our beliefs can put us at odds with others, but as Webster is quick to point out, it's not a satire and it does not taking a mocking tone toward religion in general or Christianity in particular. In fact, he says, the play's been embraced and enjoyed by "people who are devout, people who are agnostic or atheist... Christians, Muslims, [and] Jews."
See 'The Christians' through March 28 at Hyde Park Theatre.
https://vimeo.com/120482926">"The Christians" at Hyde Park Theatre from https://vimeo.com/icpictures">Eric Graham on Vimeo.
