Magical Acts Ritual Theater
Presents
Corpus Christi
By Terrence McNally
June 1-4 and 8-11, 2006
Directed by Angelique Heddings

WHAT: This is a retelling of the Passion Play, the story of Christ's life and death - this time in a 20th century setting and from a gay perspective. First performed in New York City in 1998, Terrence McNally's story of a gay Messiah growing up in Corpus Christi, Texas won the Drama Desk Award, the Outer Circle Critics Award, and the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play of 1998.

Since then, it has continued to attract both acclaim and controversy whenever and wherever it has been performed, receiving bomb threats and scathing reviews right along with the awards. The original production attracted a demonstration against it and a counter-demonstration supporting the First Amendment right to perform it.

The story is familiar to many - the text fully admits that there's "no suspense and fewer surprises." But even a student of the scriptures will find fresh new life breathed into these oft-told stories of wanderings, weddings, healings, exorcisms, conversions, and miracles of the heart. A careful student may also notice the subtle symbolism and artful allusion McNally has hidden in the seemingly simple text.

This production by Magical Acts Ritual Theater, directed by Angelique Heddings, seeks to bring to life the ritual and real religious experience of the Passion Play as well as the artful drama and timely social commentary which make this play a moving and thought-provoking experience. Anyone who witnessed Ms. Heddings' startlingly original production of Peter Shaffer's Equus last year knows this Director/Ritualist/High Priestess/Diva and the close-knit cast of Apostles she has assembled are up to the task!

MART donates a portion of each ticket price to a charity chosen for its significance to the production. Our charity for this production is The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. www.thesisters.org

Starring Francis Serpa as Joshua and Jason J. C. Thomas as Judas


WHEN: June 1-4 and 8-11, 2006
8PMThursdays – Saturdays,
2PM Sundays

WHERE: Theatre Rhinoceros
2926 16th Street at South Van Ness
San Francisco
www.therhino.org

TICKETS: $25 General Admission
$20 with Student, Senior or TBA Member Discount - at the door only
Call 415-861-5079 for reservations
Purchase tickets online at www.ticketweb.com

Magical Acts Ritual Theater
A division of Magical Acts International Association,
an educational non-profit 501(c)3.
PO Box 27286
Oakland, CA 94602
www.magicalacts.org