CHURCH & STATE
by Odell Williams
Directed by Gordon Wiener
WHEN: March 8th thru the 23rd. Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Thursday, March 21st at 8pm, and Sunday, March 10th at 3pm.
WHERE: MONDO, 426 Springfield Avenue in Summit
TICKETS: $27; seniors $25; students $22
For reservations, email us at alliancerepco@gmail.com or visit www.alliancerep.org.
In the wake of a school shooting in his hometown of Raleigh three days before his bid for reelection, a Republican senator (Brett LaRosa) makes an off-the-cuff comment that gets leaked. The comment calls into question the senator’s stance on guns and God, and sends his devoutly Christian wife (Leslie Williams) and liberal Jewish campaign manager (Candy Fox) scrambling to contain the damage.
Church & State tackles the issues of religion in politics, gun control and being true to oneself in a simultaneously funny, heartbreaking and uplifting way.
Directed by Gordon Wiener, the cast is rounded out by Kyle Walton playing multiple roles.
“Anyone who sees Church & State is sure to be entertained, potentially moved and, hopefully, prodded into seriously considering how the ‘other side’ sees things,” said Wiener.
What critics have to say about the play:
- “Crackling, resonant, humorous. I wish every member of Congress would see it!” – NPR
- “PLENTY OF HUMOR - Jason Odell Williams presents his argument so entertainingly, few would object to going along for the ride.” - Time Out NY
- “The moral struggle that follows fuels a sophisticated dialectic that presents both sides of the gun debate…. It’s surprisingly subtle and gripping entertainment. Simply superb!” – Los Angeles Times
The production has been dedicated to the memory of Artistic Director Michael A. Driscoll, who died in late January.
“Michael's gift of searching out rarely produced plays in NJ, made ART a unique theater company where audiences were treated to off-beat plays that they would never have experienced, had it not been for Michael.
“So the loss we feel is not just for his friends and family, but for the New Jersey Theater Community. He will be be sorely missed.”
