Three days before his bid for re-election - in the wake of another school shooting - a U.S. Senator has a life-altering crisis of faith, triggering an off-the-cuff comment which sends the entire campaign into a tailspin. His wife and campaign manager try to contain the damage, but in a country where religion influences politics and politics have become a religion, how do you reach the people and stay true to yourself? A timely and fast-paced story that is simultaneously funny, heartbreaking, and uplifting.
“Crackling…enjoyable, thought-provoking, and humorous. I wish every member of Congress would see it” - NPR
Church & State runs
1/27/22 through 2/20/22
Thursdays 7:30
Fridays & Saturdays 8:00
Sundays 3:00
ASL Interpretation Thursday, Feb 10
Patrons needing to see the interpreters should purchase seats numbered 1-4 in the Right section.
Post Show Conversations:
Feb 5, featuring PR specialist Mindia Whittier
Feb 19, featuring Director Jenna Burnett
Senator Charles Whitmore - Ashley Wood*
Sara Whitmore - Shannon J. McGrann*
Alex Klein - Madeline Dockery-Fuhrmann**
Tom/Marshall/Reporter/Security Guy - Ryan Michael Friedman**
* Member, Actor's Equity Association ** Equity Membership Candidate
Director: Jenna Burnett
Stage Manager: Mark Shum*
Assistant Stage Manager: Rayven Harris
Set Designer: Natalie Rose Mabry
Lighting Designer: Jared Land
Sound Designer: Jake Nice
Costume Designer: Amanda Capshaw
Properties: Lynn Lovett
Projection Designer: Philip Vilar
Technical Director: Bryan Stevenson
Jason Odell Williams is an Emmy-nominated writer and producer as well as an award-winning playwright and novelist. Hailed as a “postmodern Clifford Odets” by the L.A. Times and “this country’s newest Eugene O’Neill” by the Santa Monica Daily Press, his play CHURCH & STATE was nominated for Best New Play by the Off-Broadway Alliance and L.A. Ovation Awards. CHURCH & STATE was selected to be an NNPN Rolling World Premiere with productions in Los Angeles and Rochester before running for over 100 performances Off-Broadway at New World Stages. Jason’s first play HANDLE WITH CARE was a New York Times Critics’ Pick, ran for over 100 performances Off-Broadway starring Carol Lawrence, has been produced over twenty times since 2011 in the U.S. and Canada, and won three Theatre Bay Area Awards including Outstanding Production. Other plays: BALTIMORE IN BLACK & WHITE (the cell theatre), SOMEONE ELSE (NC Stage), THE SCIENCE OF GUILT (DR2), GOING OFFLINE (Fells Point Corner Theatre), THE JUNGLE GYM (American Globe Theatre). Readings: Primary Stages, The Blank, The Lark, EST, as well as developmental readings starring Norbert Leo Butz, Matthew Lillard, and Tovah Feldshuh. Jason was a winner of the 2012 Hudson Valley Writers' Center contest and the winner of the 2011 Fixitsolife Theatre playwriting contest. He lives in New York City with wife and daughter. More at jasonodellwilliams.com
