Review: THE CHRISTIANS Is A Riveting Theological Debate

This is New York, and when you call your play The Christians, set it in a mega-church and begin with a handsome well-dressed minister delivering a lengthy sermon, you know there's a good deal of the audience just waiting for the laughs to come and the hypocrisy to take over.

They don't. What comes instead is a riveting ninety-minute debate on theological interpretation, the limits of forgiveness and the existence of hell. Playwright Lucas Hnath's smart and intriguing script, Les Waters' tense and even-handed direction and an excellent ensemble that brings out the very human internal struggle in each character add up to an absorbing night of theatre.

Pastor Paul (Andrew Garman) has good news when he delivers his sermon one Sunday. Twenty years ago he was preaching to a handful of followers in a storefront church. Now his congregation numbers in the thousands and they have just completely paid off their big, modern, spiritually bland home. (realistic set design by Dane Laffrey) But before the celebration begins, Paul has an important story to tell. It involves a teenage boy, not a Christian, who dies while committing a brave and selfless act to save his little sister's life. The missionary who told him the story was saddened, not only for the boy's death, but for the fact that because his spiritual beliefs were different, he would now spend eternity in Hell.

After describing his search for divine guidance on this issue, he ends the sermon by announcing, "We are no longer a congregation that believes in Hell... We are no longer a congregation that says, 'My way is the only way.' We are no longer that kind of church."

The first to object is Associate Pastor Joshua (Larry Powell) who points out Biblical passages he says clearly confirm the existence of Hell, but Pastor Paul is ready with proof of inaccurate translations and misread interpretations. When Joshua leaves to form his own church, he's followed by only 50 congregation members, so it seems that this all-inclusive concept is welcome.

But then a church elder (Philip Kerr) expresses concern that without the fear of punishment, some may feel no need for faith. A financially struggling single mother (Jenny Donahoe), who nevertheless regularly gave 20% of her earnings to the church, feels that Paul may have held off making this radical change until after the building was completely paid for. And when Paul is asked in front of his congregation if he believes Hitler should be forgiven and sent to Heaven, his answer is just too much for some to accept.

Seated throughout all of this, watching patiently, is Paul's wife, Elizabeth (Linda Powell). His decision not only affects her participation in the church, but whether or not she feels she could remain married to him. Their climatic scene together is mature, loving and just heartbreaking.

Though these are passionate issues for each character to consider, the discussions are all remarkably civil and respectful. There's no yelling or threats made. Emotions don't get in the way of pointed, well-presented arguments, which only increases the tension of the production.

THE CHRISTAINS will provoke a lot of thought and discussion; an all-around excellent theatre experience.