Lee University Theatre will open its 2016-17 season with the production of a new play, “The Christians,” written by Lucas Hnath. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 23-24, Sept. 29-30, and Oct. 1 in the Buzz Oates Theater, located in Lee’s Communication Arts Building.
Review for "The Christians"
In “The Christians,” Pastor Paul, (played by Aubrey Day) has seen his church go from a modest storefront to a congregation of thousands, with classrooms for Sunday School, a coffee shop in the lobby, and a baptismal font as big as a swimming pool. On a day meant for celebration, Pastor Paul preaches a sermon that will shake the foundations of his church's belief. He then has to face questions and challenges from his associate pastor (Hunter Stinnett), his elders (Elder Jay played by Zack Dean), a congregant (Aimee Smith), and his own wife (Megan Kinney). This is a big-little play about faith in America and the trouble with changing one’s mind.
“This production of ‘The Christians’ tells a simple yet intense story about a topic with which Lee audiences are very familiar - the church,” said Dan Buck, play director and assistant professor of theatre at Lee. “It looks at what happens when what we feel God is telling us is contrary to what we feel God is telling those we love. It raises hard questions with no easy answers.”
Following each performance, “talk back sessions” with Lee’s School of Religion faculty will take place, led by Dr. Skip Jenkins, chairperson of the theology department and professor of historical theology at Lee.
Tickets for the production will be available at the box office in the Communication Arts Building Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m., and one hour before curtain time. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children and seniors.
For more information, visit www.leeuniversity.edu/theatre or email theatre@leeuniversity.edu. Fans are encouraged to follow Lee University Theatre on Facebook.