Comedy Changes The Game
For years people have used the name Judas in a negative context. The longstanding reference to Judas being a betrayer of Jesus Christ is comically challenged in the Forgotten Goddess Production about the last days of the infamous biblical antagonist, Judas Iscariot.
The play The Last Days of Judas Iscariot is playing through March 16, 2014 at the People’s Center Theater. Directed by Tyler Stamm, the show is an affordable must see!
The co-mingling of contemporary urban cultures and updated references to the Obama administration make the show fresh and fun. While it has memorable moments of comedy, it digs deeper to our core desire regarding what happens in the afterlife. You know, when we are sent to account for our life and cement our fate in the afterlife. That is, if you believe in that sort of thing.
The production is hefty but engaging. I recommend being well rested as this is not your standard two-act. Comedic wit is the core of the mastery in this production and each character is well played. I have to say that the role of El-Fayoumy, played by Dustin Valenta was my stand alone favorite. His animation combined with the stage presence of a character resembling a Tim Burton animation made him immediately likable and accessible.
Jack C. Kloppenborg acts as both Satan and Jesus of Nazareth in contrasting and powerful performances. I have to say that if Jack actually was Satan, I would want an invite to a cocktail party – at which I am certain I would cross paths with Karen Walker.
Judas is played by James Napoleon Stone and is extremely likable as an outsider who is misunderstood and downtrodden. The cast is experienced and with a few moments of artistic confusion (the Dublin Nun with a lip ring didn’t really resonate) the production is well done.
A brief conversation with Tyler after the show revealed that there was actual intention behind the visibility of sunflower tattoo on the calf of actor Christina Castro playing Fabiana Aziza Cunningham, so that was eschewed as a directorial oversight.
One suggestion for Ross Destiche in the Soldier scene is to check your fly!
In the end, the production is well done and I recommend taking it in!
Some details about the play:
Set in modern day Purgatory, THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT by Stephen Adly Guirgis is a serio-comic courtroom examination of the eternal damnation of Judas Iscariot. With witnesses from Mother Teresa and Sigmund Freud to Pontius Pilate and The Prince of Darkness himself, Guirgis sheds 21st century light on the most influential story of human existence.
Tickets are available online and the Facebook page will give you the rest.
I say See It! It is a fun cast, supreme performances and oh, by the way, Judas is HOT!