There’s no doubt that Corpus Christi is a controversial play. Written by Terrence McNally and first performed in 1998, the play depicts Jesus and his disciples as gay men, Christ performing a same-sex marriage, and Judas betraying him due to romantic jealousy. It’s original Broadway production was met with protests and it’s been pretty much the same wherever it’s been staged in the US, becoming a major target in the ever intensifying culture wars of homosexuality.
Corpus Christi: Playing with Redemption is a documentary that looks at the staging of a small LA production, which led to a US tour and eventually a staging in Corpus Christi, Texas, which doesn’t just share a name with the play, but is also McNally’s hometown. The film also looks at the protests and reactions against it, comparing the play’s message of universal love to the blind bigotry it’s been met with.
Unfortunately there’s no clue yet if the doc will ever make it to the UK, but it’s premiering on April 29th in San Francisco, and will then accompany a new production of the play on a US tour. (Thanks to Queerty for the heads up)
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