Is hell real? Hilton Head play ‘The Christians’ succeeds with burning questions
... hermeneutics ... a method or theory of interpretation ... the branch of knowledge that deals with interpretation, especially of the Bible or literary texts.
The award-winning play, “The Christians,” is actually a sermon. A superlative sermon.
Filled with Lucas Hnath’s incredible, bold, brilliant playwriting, and a boatload of biblical parables and metaphors, the over-the-top, brain-bending play is deftly offered by the always exciting, always edgy, always thought provoking, Lean Ensemble Theater of Hilton Head Island.
Now on stage at the Main Street Theatre, you will be challenged by the presentation of the issues “The Christians” raises, and the excitement it generates — among the star-quality actors on our stage and those of us in the audience. You will laugh, you might become tearful, and inward-turning, but through it all, you will be connected to every well-selected and carefully-cosseted word, phrase or idea assigned by Hnath toward the quality of this astonishing piece.
The abundantly talented rising playwright continues to turn heads everywhere. This work, rich with religious, spiritual, social and cultural themes, offers a side glance at the influence of his childhood, where he was raised by a preacher mother. Much of his work has some of those telltale signs for your recognition and appreciation. You will note his name as the writer of “The Doll’s House, Part 2,” which was staged by Lean, here, last year.
Our production is directed by Jay Briggs, and you will remember his name along with the presentation of “Who Am I This Time?” at Lean. His take on this piece contributes vastly to the flow of the show as he points out that Jesus taught with stories ... and he offers a clear-eyed look at the nature of “The Christians” by way of the telling of these little stories — parables, he says — which he encourages our gifted cast to offer in such a relatable way.
The stage is set with the suggestion of a church ... a megachurch! A backlighted cross is at the center of the rear of the stage. On each side, a choir balances the setting and offers purposefully selected gospel songs, chosen to reflect the spirit of the message of the moment. At the front and center stands the pulpit.
As the choir begins to sing, the lyrics are flashed on a screen against the wall. Then each, with an individual microphone in hand, files into his or her position. Pastor Paul (markus d. harvery), Associate Pastor Joshua (Sean Hincke), Elder Jayne (Jenny Zmarzly) and Elizabeth, Pastor Paul’s wife (Peggy Trecker White). They smile and greet the congregants, and we, as if we were members of this megachurch, reflexively, smile back.
As Pastor Paul begins the service with his prayer would be the perfect time to tell you about the growth of the church, which began in a storefront location, expanded its membership and its outreach, defined its evangelical positioning among traditional churches, and, one day, after 20 years, had come together to celebrate the megachurch ... with seating for a thousand ... and, oh, by the way, was today completely debt free.
Apostasy!
Prepare yourself, now, because though articles of faith, religious beliefs and practices generally come about as a slow-moving evolution, Pastor Paul, in his opening remarks that morning, explained to all that he had just experienced a revelation, followed by a resultant conversation with God in which He revealed that there was no hell ... the fire and brimstone kind of hell. Translators, he explained almost offhandedly, had misinterpreted the word, and hell was actually hell on earth, he said. (By the way, periodically, while delivering his lines, Pastor Paul would offer one in a narrative form ... kind of intriguing.)
You won’t be surprised when I tell you that a kind of controlled eruption took place on that day, and Associate Pastor Joshua was terribly shaken, to the extent that he took Pastor Paul on, competed in a battle of Bible verses, and declared a referendum among the congregation to settle the schism about hell ... by voting on little pieces of paper to be gathered in the collection plates.
The entire experience was tragic for everyone, and ultimately, Associate Pastor Joshua gathered up the 50 who supported his contrary position on hell, and set off to begin a new direction.
Elder Jayne was understanding but distressed. Sister Jen (Tai Verley), in a heart-wrenching moment in the play, comes forward, nervously speaking from her notes, to describe her devastation at the new doctrine about hell, and what that might mean to everybody in the congregation.
Pastor Paul’s wife, Elizabeth, at first sad, shocked and devastated is confused about sharing a life with a husband whose faith she does not share.
Dying mother
During these moments, as the proud Pastor Paul listens to the words of these devoted members of his congregation and his wife, we wonder if he, during his conversation with God, and while he was considering making this change, had thought about the impact his decision would have on his staff, his elders, his congregants, his friends and, most especially, his wife.
Associate Pastor Joshua, at the top of his game, surfaces toward the end of the play, when everything predicted by those who objected to the change, actually took place ... declining membership, declining income, and serious concern for Pastor Paul’s professional future.
Joshua, now pastor at his own church, strictly adhering to the literal interpretation of the Bible, and most especially the issue of hell, appeared to be enormously successful.
But, In one of the most compelling scenes in the brilliant piece, he tells Pastor Paul that his mother is dying, and that she is not a Christian, and in his efforts to convince her to change her mind and choose salvation, she explained that she cannot do it ... she has always been truthful, and to change her mind to seek salvation would be a lie. Pastor Paul so wanted her to go to heaven, so he could see her again. Instead, he felt that he would be looking down on her from above.
Huge.
If you go
What: “The Christians.”
When: Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 2, 2 p.m.
Where: Hilton Head Preparatory School Main Street Theatre, 3000 Main St., Hilton Head Island.
Information: 843-715-6676 or leanensemble.org.
This story was originally published January 28, 2020 at 12:56 PM.