One eagerly attends Diversionary Theatre’s production of Terrence McNally’s “Corpus Christi,” hoping that the playwright’s view of and purpose in writing about “Joshua” will shed light on the huge religious/theatrical war the play engendered back in 1998. One comes away convinced that it was a more tempestuous teapot storm than even the usual.
As soon as Manhattan Theatre Club announced the world premiere, religious activists jumped on the theater, which at first knuckled under, by canceling, and then reinstated the production.
The result of protests and much Sturm und Drang in the press, an eight-week sellout of what turned out to be a mediocre work ensued. Hearsay has it that McNally was so disheartened over the conflict and hatred he had a difficult time completing his script, which presents Jesus as a homosexual teenager raised in the Texas town named for the man that many consider the Savior of mankind.
Much as I admire McNally (author of “Love! Valour! Compassion!,” “The Perfect Ganesh” and the books for the musical “Ragtime” and Jake Heggie’s opera “Dead Man Walking,” among others) and much as I wanted to love “Corpus Christi,” I did not.
As staged by Los Angeles director Nic Arnzen with a mixed-gender company of 13, “Corpus Christi” feels hokey, artificial, scattered and stilted, especially when the actors mosey in and begin setting up their props. Been there, done that, thanks.
After what seems an interminable time, John (Rachael VanWormer) begins naming and baptizing and renaming each of the remaining 12 actors ” a neat device for letting us know who’s who around the table ” until there are only two, one of whom becomes “Joshua” (Trevor Bowles) and the other, Judas (Rich Carillo). It’s an “American Idol” elimination moment long before its time.
Scott Andrew Amiotte, Zachary Bryant, Tom Doyle, Kate Hewitt, Keifla, Brian Mackey, Jesse Allen Moore, Jessica Parsell, Anna Rebek and John Whitley complete the company.
It would take a great cast to make this play better than its script, a feat I believe is entirely possible. This particular company, though their hearts seem in the project, are a decidedly mixed bag so far as actorly chops are concerned. Some are excellent; others, merely competent; and still others groan- and impatience-inducing. Some cast in major roles deliver lines in So Cal-speak, a curious lingo devoid of consonants and variety much in evidence on local stages of late. I also found the work curiously devoid of humor.
Though “Corpus Christi” ends with the crucifixion and many of the actors are tearing up, I ” who wept over the original recording of “Jesus Christ Superstar” and my first experience of “Godspell” ” remained unmoved. Those productions had the heart that McNally’s play curiously lacks.
“Corpus Christi” continues at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays through June 1. Tickets range from $29 to $33 (some discounts apply).
Diversionary Theatre is located at 4545 Park Blvd., San Diego. For tickets and information, visit www.diversionary,org or call (619) 220-0097.
