The Last Days of of Judas Iscariot Production Review
Past Erik Nikander
A script with this many characters buzzing about demands a strong bandage — fortunately, Hub Theatre's terrific ensemble is more than than upwardly to the task.
The Terminal Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis. Directed past Steven Bogart. Staged by Hub Theatre Company at the Beginning Church in Boston, 66 Marlborough Street, Boston, MA, through November 23.
The sanctuary at the Kickoff Church in Boston is an unusual space. What begins with conventional rows of pews opens into an off-kilter puzzle of a room, with balconies bulging out at sharp angles and the space's rear walls reaching so high up you lot have to crane your neck to spot the ceiling. The Hub Theatre Company'south production of The Final Days of Judas Iscariot transforms this hall, meant for spiritual gathering, into a pit of despair. For much of the production, Judas (Cristhian Mancinas-Garcia) sits at the foot of these walls in stony silence. It's difficult not to exist pulled into the infamous villain'due south hopelessness. What risk is there that his prayers volition be answered?
He might have more of a shot than he thinks. Stephen Adly Guirgis's play is difficult to sum up concisely, but information technology revolves effectually a trial that is to decide the fate of Judas's soul. His case is argued by Fabiana Cunningham (Lauren Elias), i of Purgatory's brightest young defence force lawyers, against prosecutor El Fayoumy (Maurice Palmer). They phone call a slew of cultural figures every bit witnesses, each offering a take on who Judas is and what his betrayal represents. We hear from Mary Magdalene (Enosa Ogbeide), St. Thomas (Jon Vellante), Mother Teresa and Sigmund Freud (both Arthur Waldstein) — fifty-fifty Satan (Victor Shopov) kicks in his two cents. The event is a study of the perplexing messiness of guilt and redemption, set in a courtroom that spans just about all of fourth dimension and space.
A script with this many characters buzzing about demands a strong cast — fortunately, Hub's terrific ensemble is more than upwardly to the task. Guided by manager Steven Bogart, they skillfully handle the play'south riotously funny stretches as well as its moments of earnest soul-searching. Among the stand-outs, Shopov gives the Devil a spark of charismatic warmth — the demon can go from charming to terrifying at the flip of a switch. Blyss Cleveland's effervescent operation turns Saint Monica into a spitfire of tough love. Equally jury member Butch Honeywell, Dan Prior isn't given very much to do throughout most of the slice, only his closing monologue, addressed to Judas, is deeply moving.
Last Days is a fairly lengthy play, running for most two and a one-half hours with a cursory pause. But Guirgis'due south clever writing and the ensemble's performing chops combine to go along the courtroom antics engaging. The stakes raised past Judas's case are high, and they bring questions to mind that are well worth because. Who really deserves redemption? Is in that location a transgression and so great that a person tin can't ever find forgiveness? The script doesn't comprehend easy moral absolutes — each grapheme has their own strengths and failings. The judge (Robert Orzalli), for instance, is supposed to exist the impartial arbiter of the proceedings. But he'southward short-tempered throughout the trial and clearly biased against Judas — non to mention that he shares a chummy repartee with Satan. Though the play suggests in that location are realms of Heaven and Hell, the line between damnation and salvation is as blurry here (wherever "here" is) as in the everyday earth.
Guirgis also makes information technology clear that the true boxing to redeem Judas'south soul isn't taking identify in this metaphysical courtroom, but within his middle. Mancinas-Garcia spends much of the play stewing in a catatonic moral stalemate, but in that location are scenes that suggest that Judas doesn't believe he's worthy of salvation. Even when Jesus (Jaime Hernàndez) reaches out to him in a gesture of honey and forgiveness, Judas can't let become of his overwhelming regret. Every bit theater, Last Days has its weak points; its column of monologues and cameos from historical figures sometimes takes precedence over graphic symbol development. For instance, an intriguing look at Cunningham's background and motivations is over practically before it begins. Even so, despite the occasional flightiness of the storytelling, Guirgis serves upwardly some genuine insights about the ambiguities of human being nature.
Justin Lahue's set design makes artful apply of the space's preexisting visual character and spatial depth, providing Bogart and his squad of actors plenty of opportunities for movement. They take full advantage of this liberty, immersing the audition in the activity, embracing a free flow that works well with the script's epic storytelling. The layout isn't perfect; from this critic's seats, it was difficult to encounter the jury box until the second act. Still, the visually dynamic staging, aided by Chelsea Kerl'due south colorful costumes and the evocative lighting pattern of Chris Bocchiaro, helps keep this Last Days engaging to watch. This is a testify with an excess of moving parts; the cast and crew keep everything running similar clockwork.
By turns meditative, vulgar, witty, and heartfelt, The Concluding Days of Judas Iscariot is a show that lodges in the mind. Hub Theatre'south artists tackle the piece'southward unruly nature with verve — there's enough here for an adventurous audience member to chew on. Even without considering the considerable merits of Guirgis's script, the performers are consistently engrossing. The play'due south ending feels a tad inconclusive, though the selection makes sense — redemption is rarely wrapped up in a groovy little bow. It may not provide all the answers, but Terminal Days proves that theater still has the gumption to ask meaningful questions.
Erik Nikander is a critic, playwright, and filmmaker based in the New England expanse. His film criticism can be read on Medium and his video reviews on a variety of topics tin be viewed on Youtube at EWN Reviews.
Source: https://artsfuse.org/191066/theater-review-the-last-days-of-judas-iscariot-pray-for-the-devil/
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