PASSION PLAY

Sarah Ruhl

“This sprawling epic intersects themes of religion, politics and theatre and reveals how the stories we tell shape us as individuals and as a nation.”

— St. Albert Gazette

“In an age of small-cast shows on professional stages, interspersed with the odd big-name barnburner, it’s a rarity to see a cast of pros so vividly and fully populate a little theatre. Director Guedo has assembled an all-star ensemble for a provocative play. And we get the fun of seeing them reappear in each era, as different characters playing the same iconic roles. And in the end, which comes a hefty 3 1/2 hours and two intermissions after the start, we leave with an unexpected spiritual buzz.”

— Liz Nicholls, The Edmonton Journal

“The actors deserve full marks for their powerful, insightful performances. Jesse Gervais as the muscularJesus is both sober and committed with a frightening edge. Amber Borotsik reveals an earthy side tothe virginal Mary that is quite appealing and Belinda Cornish as Mary Magdalene presents an unexpected motherly quality. Nathan Cuckow is a powerful Pontius who effectively shows how this man is both prisoner and perpetrator of his personal demons. Kristi Hansen as Elizabeth, Hitler and Reagan is pure ham while Dave Horak as the frustrated director desperately tries to get his actors to present a unified front.

Clocking in at three and one-half hours, this religious romp through history provokes thought and gives the viewer a great deal to chew on. Warning: you may need a couple of sittings to grasp Passion Play completely.

- Anna Borowiecki, St. Albert Gazette

“The standout part of this production of Passion Play is really the acting. The cast is fabulous: Nathan Cuckow, Jesse Gervais, Amber Borotsik, Belinda Cornish, Robert Benz, Natasha Prasad, Fred Zbryski, Cody Porter, Dave Horak, Braydon Dowler-Coltman, and Kristi Hansen. It’s pretty amazing to be able to see these 11 actors on the same stage. In my years in Edmonton, I’ve seen all of these actors in various productions, but mostly small, two-hander shows. Reading the cast list was sort of like reading a recipe – you know what all the individual ingredients are, but when you start thinking about what it will be like when they’re combined, your mouth starts watering and you just want to get to experience it right away.”

- Jenna Marynowski, After the House Lights

The Realistic Joneses

MacEwan University Productions