Corpus Christi is a passion play by Terrence McNally dramatizing the story of Jesus and the Apostles. It depicts Jesus and the Apostles as gay men living in modern-day Texas. It utilises modern devices like television with anachronisms like Roman occupation. In this version, Judas betrays Jesus because of sexual jealousy.

The play also showed Jesus' administration of gay marriage between two apostles. Director Leigh Rowney accepted that it would generate discussion on Christianity and homosexuality stating: "I wanted this play in the hands of a Christian person like myself to give it dignity but still open it up to answering questions about Christianity as a faith system."

Reception

It received critical acclaim for its exploration of gay themes in Christianity. It was also condemned by Catholic League, a Roman Catholic watchdog group, for what they viewed as blasphemy and sacrilege, while other Christians continue to mount the production in their churches.

Playwright Terrence McNally, a gay man, received death threats when it was played in the U.S. It was directed in New York City by Joe Mantello, opening on the 13 October 1998. It received its British premiere in 2000, produced by Theatre 28 and directed by Stephen Henry. This production received a fatwa. When it was produced as part of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Anglican bishop Robert Forsyth considered the play to be offensive and historically incorrect.

Awards

• Drama Desk Award, Best Play
• Outer Critics Circle Award, Best Play
• New York Drama Critics' Circle Award, Best Play

See also

• Mystery play

Notes

1. "'Family' Gathers at the Theater Hall of Fame", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 25, 1996, pp C-1.
2. Censorship in the Age of Anything Goes; For Artistic Freedom, It's Not the Worst of Times James Sterngold, New York Times, September 20, 1998.
3. `Jesus is gay' play at Fringe, Charis Owen, The Independent, July 17, 1999.
4. "Lawmakers Threaten FAU Over Gay Christ Play", Stephen Kiehl, Palm Beach Post, March 30, 2001, pp 1A.
5. "Theater Club Changes Stance: Play To Go On despite Threats", Peter Applebome, The New York Times, May 30, 1998, pp. 5D.
6. Play portraying Jesus as gay man set to hit California church stage November 15, 2009.
7. Afp.google.com, Row erupts in Australia over 'gay' Jesus play: report
8. Eyre and Wright (2000, 396).
9. Gay Jesus play blasted by bishop

Sources

• Eyre, Richard and Nicholas Wright. 2000. Changing Stages: A View of British Theatre in the Twentieth Century. London: Bloomsbury. ISBN 0747547890.
• McNally, Terrence. 1999. Corpus Christi. New York: Grove. ISBN 0802136354.

External links

• A review of the 1998 production from CurtainUp.com