In a bustling church with Sunday School classrooms and even a coffee shop in the lobby, a pastor gives a sermon one day that shakes the core of his parishioners’ beliefs as well as his own. That’s the plot of “The Christians,” written by award-winning American playwright Lucas Hnath, opening Feb. 8 at Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest. It runs through March 12.
Previews are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 and 9; 7:30 p.m. select Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays: 3 p.m. Sundays; and 1 p.m. matinees Feb. 22 and March 8.
Because of its subject matter and the stage design including 90 two-foot LED panels, it’s likely the most innovative play Citadel Theatre has done, according to its director Scott Westerman.
“The play goes beyond Christianity and faith and organized religion,” Westerman said. “It really digs into that subject matter in a really cool way that makes you think. You can’t walk out of the theater without asking yourself questions. It’s about acceptance and tolerance, and even the tolerance of the intolerance.”
Westerman said he’s excited to incorporate the actors’ work with the technology of the LED panels, which he said makes the stage appear three-dimensional.
Citadel Theatre Artistic Director Scott Phelps said, “It is unique in theater as these panels are very expensive to rent, mostly used in the making of motion pictures, Disney’s ‘Mandalorian,’ or high-budgeted television like ‘American Idol.'”
The play begins with a sermon the day the church is celebrating having paid off its debts. “It’s a megachurch with thousands of members, and in our particular production, we have multiple locations being piped in, with people watching the service on screens.,” Westerman said. “The pastor starts preaching a gospel of inclusion. We are no longer a congregation that believes in hell.”
The pastor and his younger associate are on opposite sides about this philosophy, and as the play progresses, the audience, begins to get many different views.
More Top Picks Chimeneas
“This play is something that will provoke us to think more deeply about what we believe in,” Westerman said.
He added the play will not be like going to church. “It’s not a chore to see. It’s super entertaining and really moves,” he said.
Scott Phelps is playing the pastor. His wife, Ellen Phelps, is portraying the pastor’s wife. Three other actors are also in the play.
“The rehearsals have been fascinating,” Westerman said. “The first thing I said at the first rehearsal was that it was a necessity that every voice is vital and welcome. We have an array of different ways of thinking in this room. Intolerance is not tolerated. Each of us went around and talked about our religious or spiritual background. That opened up that conversation.”
He added, “I think people will want to see this and should want to see this small to mid-size theater company doing this work with this (advanced) technology.”
‘The Christians’
When: Feb. 8-March 12
Where: Citadel Theatre, 300 Waukegan Road, Lake Forest
Tickets: $20 for previews, $40 all other dates
Information: 847-735-8554, citadeltheatre.org
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.