Photo Flash: 'Passion Play' at Goodman Theatre, Opens 9/24

Goodman Theatre launches its 2007/2008 season with Passion Play: a cycle in three parts by Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Sarah Ruhl. British director, actor and teacher Mark Wing-Davey helms this triptych that addresses the thorny relationship between politics and religion, lust and dogma, and perception and reality, over 425 years and three controversial, politically-charged eras. Passion Play runs September 15 - October 21.

"Using the medieval tradition of the Passion play as a framing device, a cast of 16 characters explore very personal and contemporary questions (sexuality, identity, responsibility and faith) and larger community issues (power, citizenship and war) during three times of war in history. Part One takes place in England, 1575; a small town is staging the Passion play just as the Protestant Queen Elizabeth is banishing Catholic rites and rituals, forcing the play to cease production. In Part Two, the play travels to Germany in 1934, where the man playing Christ in the famous Oberammergau Passion play is slowly drawn to the Nazi party. Hitler, who has endorsed the dramatization of the death of Christ as a way to promote his anti-Semitic agenda, attends the play. Part Three moves forward in time to Spearfish, South Dakota, the home of the Black Hills Passion play. The man playing Pontius Pilate has returned from the Vietnam War and discovers his part in the play has been given to a professional actor. Ronald Reagan visits the town while campaigning for the 1984 election," explain press notes.

Passion Play: a cycle in three parts begins performances on September 15 (opening night is September 24) in the Goodman's Albert Theatre, and runs through October 21. For tickets ($20-$70) or information, visit www.GoodmanTheatre.org or call 312-443-3800.

Photos by Liz Lauren

The Passion Play: a cycle in three parts by Sarah Rul, opens September 24 in the Goodman's Albert Theatre, and runs through October 21.

Brian Sgambati (Pontius the Fish Gutter)

(l to r) Nicole Wiesner (Mary 2) and Kristen Bush (Mary 1)

(l to r) Nicole Wiesner (Mary 2), Joaquín Torres (John the Fisherman), John Hoogenakker (Machinist) and Ron Rains (Ensemble)

Brian Sgambati (Pontius the Fish Gutter)

Brian Sgambati (Pontius the Fish Gutter) and Kristen Bush (Mary 1)

T. Ryder Smith (Queen Elizabeth)

Joaquín Torres (Eric)

Brian Sgambati (Footsoldier) and Joaquín Torres (Eric)

Polly Noonan (Village Idiot)

Ensemble

(center, on cross) Joaquín Torres (Eric) with (below, l to r) Kristen Bush (Elsa) and Nicole Wiesner (Mary 2)

T. Ryder Smith (Hitler)

(l to r) Brian Sgambati (P), T. Ryder Smith (Queen Elizabeth) and Kristen Bush (Mary 1)

Nicole Wiesner (Mary 2)

Ensemble

T. Ryder Smith (Reagan)

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