Acts of Faith Theatre Festival - Second Presbyterian Church

2008 Acts of Faith Festival - America's Largest Faith Inspired Theatre Event.

Acts of Faith
Drama & Faith
2008 Calendar
About the Plays
Discussion Forums
Order Tickets
Who's Involved
Stories & Sermons

Acts of Faith

Second Presbyterian Church will commence its fourth season as the convening sponsor of Acts of Faith – the largest faith inspired theatre event in America. This collaboration between the faith community and Richmond’s professional theatre companies will run January through March, with a Kick Off/Preview event on January 11 at 7:30 at 2nd Presbyterian located at 5 north 5th Street. All participating theatres will present brief scenes of their plays to give a taste of the upcoming festival. This event is free and open to the public.

Acts of Faith began as a way to bring the community together in a shared discussion about faith and how spirituality shapes our public and private life. Using theatre as a vehicle for discussion, the festival provides positive conversations about faith and encourages unity within our diverse faith traditions. Throughout the winter, thirteen metropolitan theater companies will join with a range of faith communities to offer an excellent selection of plays and to sponsor discussions after many of the performances. All of these post-performance conversations will be led by a moderator, theologian and theatre representative -- among them directors, playwrights, and actors. Discussion questions will be included in the playbills to help the audience participate. In addition, co-sponsoring churches and synagogues continue the discussions within their own faith communities, inviting the public to participate.

Using drama in formal liturgy and religious ritual has moved in and out of favor over the centuries. “An often used metaphor for God is that of “actor” in both human and natural history. What could be more fitting than to reflect theologically on drama? The prospect is fun to think about!” says Dick Neelly, Interim Pastor at Second Presbyterian Church. The festival offers something for everyone. Some plays have more obvious religious connections and deal with issues in the Catholic, Protestant and Jewish faiths. Other plays are not overtly religious at all but deal with broad values appropriate for various ages. Second Presbyterian Church sees the Acts of Faith festival as a way to reach out to the community. Crossing religious and cultural lines, the festival provides Richmond with a venue for ecumenical conversations about what common beliefs we might hold and what Richmond might look like as a faith-community.

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Drama & Faith: The Tradition

Scripture itself holds drama: within these ancient texts we meet characters whose dilemmas and dreams let loose pivotal, life-altering decisions—the action. The plot ripens as characters consider what they will do, which way they will choose. The speech and action (thoughts, emotions, and deeds) make the stories come alive. The authors crafted them with the hope that something in the message would strike the audience and produce a real effect—capable of making the audience sit up in the pew or theater seat, stirring a new awareness.

And yet it is one thing to hear a story, and quite another to feel dramatic conflict and become caught up in the traps, troubles, and hopes of the characters.

Play acting as part of worship harkens back, so far as we know, to 11th century Europe. As a complement to the formal liturgy, then still spoken in Latin, Christian clergy began to incorporate liturgical dramas—spoken in German, or French, or English—for the masses who could not otherwise understand the message. Hearing—and seeing—holy stories in the familiar words spoken in the home and market place re-excited the hearts and imaginations of the medieval mind.

In the purest sense, the clergy of the Middle Ages were evangelizing their own parishioners with the introduction of liturgical drama.

Why Acts of Faith Now?

Though 16th century Protestants purged the use of liturgical drama in religious ritual, the inextricable link between faith and drama was never completely lost.

Many modern playwrights—Shakespeare led the way—weave wisdom teachings into their plays. We can come away from Romeo and Juliet, for example, musing on the tragic, misguided passions of youth, or we can look for yet even deeper understanding: when families perpetuate hate from one generation to the next, parents will lose their children.

As Second Presbyterian grapples with the harsh realities and hopes of this new day and age, it feels the evangelizing spirit that called the Church of the Middle Ages to drama. We are not so very different at our core. Broadly speaking, we at Second Presbyterian Church sponsor this winter theater festival to invite ourselves and others—all of Richmond—to think through what it is to live life, to live in community, to seek peace and understanding between and among people. Just what does it take? We offer each of these plays as a prompt for spiritual discernment.

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Who's Involved

Theatres

African American Repertory
www.africanamericantheatre.org
Pine Camp Cultural Arts Center
4901 Old Brook Road
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 355-2187

Barksdale Theatre
Willow Lawn
www.barksdalerichmond.org
1601 Willow Lawn Drive
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 282-2620

Barksdale Theatre
Hanover Tavern
www.barksdalerichmond.org
13181 Hanover Courthouse Rd.
Hanover, VA 23069
(804) 282-2620

The Carpenter Science Theatre Company
www.smv.org/nowshowing/cst
c/o Science Museum of Virginia
2500 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 864-1400

Chamberlayne Actors Theatre
www.cattheatre.com
319 North Wilkinson Road
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 262-9760

Firehouse Theatre Project
www.firehousetheatre.org
1609 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 355-2001

Richmond Shakespeare
www.richmondshakespeare.com
Second Presbyterian Church
5 North Fifth Street
Richmond, VA 23219
1-866-BARD-TIX
(804) 232-4000

Richmond Triangle Players
www.rtriangle.org
Fieldens Cabaret Theatre
2033 West Broad
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 346-8113

St Mark’s Players
www.stmarksrichmond.org/new.asp
St. Marks Episcopal Church
520 N Blvd.
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 358-4771

The Seminary Shoestring Players
Baptist Theological Seminary
3400 Brook Rd.
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 353-6815

Swift Creek Mill Theatre
www.swiftcreekmill.com
17401 Jefferson Davis Highway
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
(804) 748-5203

Theatre IV
www.theatreivrichmond.org
Empire Theatre
114 West Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 344-8040

Theatre VCU
www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/artweb/theatre/
W.E. Singleton Center for Performing Arts
922 Park Ave.
Richmond, VA 23284
(804) 828-6026

Faith Communities

Second Presbyterian Church
Convening Sponsor of Acts of Faith
www.2presrichmond.org
5 North 5th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 649-9148

Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond
www.btsr.edu
3400 Brook Road
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 353-6815

Battery Park Christian Church
www.batteryparkchristianchurch.org
4201 Brook Rd.
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 266-8973

Bon Air Presbyterian Church
www.bonairpc.org
9201 W. Hugenot Rd.
Richmond, VA 23235
(804) 272-7514

Congregation Or Ami
www.or-ami.com
9400 W. Huguenot Road
Richmond, VA 23235
(804) 272-0017

Gayton Kirk
www.thegaytonkirk.org
11421 Gayton Rd.
Richmond, VA 23238
(804) 741-5254

Ginter Park Presbyterian Church
www.ginterparkpc.org
3601 Seminary Avenue
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 359-5049

St. John’s United Church of Christ
www.stjohnsrichmond.org
503 Stuart Circle
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 358-9291

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
www.stmarksrichmond.org/new.asp
520 North Blvd.
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 358-4771

St. Thomas Episcopal Church
www.stthomasrichmond.org
3602 Hawthorne Ave
Richmond, VA 23222
(804) 321-9548

Tabernacle Baptist Church
www.tbcrichmond.org
1925 Grove Ave.
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 355-0134

Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education
www.union-psce.edu
3401 Brook Road
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 355-0134

Promotional Sponsors

Community Idea Stations
Huntly Foundation
inRich.com
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Second Presbyterian Church

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Acts of Faith 2008 Season

January 11 7:30 p.m.
Kickoff/Preview Event
Scenes from the upcoming festival
Free and Open to the Public
Second Presbyterian Church
5 North 5th Street

November 16 – January 20
Swingtime Canteen
Barksdale Theatre at Hanover

January 23 – February 9
Sisters Rosensweig
Chamberlayne Actors Theatre

January 25 – February 10
Rumpelstiltskin’s Daughter
Theatre IV at Empire Theatre

January 31 – March 22
Little Women
Swift Creek Mill Theatre

January 31 – February 9
Godspell
Seminary Shoestring Players

February 2 – February 29
Mysteries of Plasma: The Charles Drew Story
Carpenter Science Theatre

February 6 – March 1
Visiting Mr. Green
Richmond Triangle Players

February 7 – March 2
Measure for Measure
Richmond Shakespeare at Second Presbyterian Church

February 8 – March 2
From the Mississippi Delta
African American Repertory

February 15 – March 22
Doubt: A Parable
Barksdale Theatre at Willow Lawn

February 15 – February 24
For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf
Theatre VCU

February 21 – March 15
The Late Henry Moss
Firehouse Theatre Project

February 22 – March 9
Jesus Phreak: The Story of a Very Unlikely Disciple
St. Mark’s Players

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Stories and Sermons (2007)

2008 Stories and Sermons will be added as they become available

Last Saturday morning I woke up thinking about The Runner Stumbles which I had seen the evening before: What caused the Priest Rivard to lose his drive to succeed -- was it love? Had two and one-half years of kindness overcome Housekeeper Shantig’s awful life or would she always be influenced by the past which had shaped most of her life? Who was the most complete human being in this play? Could it really be Toby, the lawyer who never did anything but fish?

Milan Stitt has woven a masterful work interlacing complex people within an unyielding religious structure over an increasingly stressful time and situation. Given a little imagination, it is not difficult to identify with one if not many of the characters in Chamberlayne Actors Theatre’s production of The Runner Stumbles. What a great opening play for this year’s Acts of Faith festival. It touches on issues of power, romantic love, murder, loyalty, and innocence. This play offers its audience an opportunity to examine issues of power, relationships, childhood, guilt, and self-esteem—all the things that can make us or break us.

After two discussion forums about The Runner Stumbles, there are several questions that I continue to mull over:

How do we find a useable, meaningful way for the institutional church to inform our day-to-day activities without suffocating the church members?

If love is essential to life, then how is it that in certain situations it is so detrimental to a community’s life?

What does redemption really mean? What happens to a community when an individual experiences redemption?

And, finally one that Jonathan Hardison, Father Rivard, asked at one of the forums: If a person must make a decision to act, and the only options available are sinful choices, how is s/he to choose?

Janet James is Associate Pastor at Second Presbyterian Church,
Richmond, Virginia

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About the Plays

November 16 – January 20
Swingtime Canteen
Barksdale Theatre at Hanover
The '40s burst onto the scene in this sentimental journey with a sassy attitude. This eagerly awaited Off-Broadway hit, featuring over 30 hits from the big band era, is not only nostalgic to those who lived through them but will resonate through any Baby Boomer or Generation X-er who hungers for a taste of our nation's last age of innocence.

January 23 – February 9
Sisters Rosensweig
Chamberlayne Actors Theatre
Sara Goode is about to celebrate her 54th birthday, and she isn't exactly too happy about it. She leads a quiet life in her lovely London home with her daughter, Tess. For the birthday party, her two sisters, Gorgeous Teitelbaum and Pfeni Rosensweig are expected to arrive at any moment. As if this weren't causing Sara enough stress, Mervyn Kant shows up at her door, and she doesn't even know the man, who, at first sight, is instantly smitten with her. After her sisters arrive for the celebration, Tess, and her boyfriend, Tom, turn up and advise her that they're planning on rushing off to his ancestral Lithuania for reasons of political protest. It all adds up to an interesting evening, which leads to unexpected romance, suspected partings, recriminations, reconciliations and, above all, newfound love and acceptance. Steeped with Jewish culture and humor, Wasserstein highlights her own family heritage throughout the play.

January 25 – February 10
Rumpelstiltskin’s Daughter
Theatre IV at Empire Theatre
Who would have guessed that Rumpelstiltskin would marry the miller’s daughter? Or, that they would have a daughter who could spin magic of her own? With courage, wit, and some ingenious tricks, Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter changes a greedy king and saves an entire kingdom. Join us for this wacky and wonderful new musical that has been described as a "stylistic cross between Disney's Beauty & the Beast and Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods."

January 31 – March 22
Little Women
Swift Creek Mill Theatre
It’s the well-known story of the March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy – and their beloved mother, as they struggle to keep their family going while Father’s away in the Civil War. This timeless classic is wonderful for the entire family.

January 31 – February 9
Godspell
Seminary Shoestring Players
Based on Matthew's gospel and featuring a sparkling music score by Stephen Schwartz that includes the well-loved song "Day by Day," GODSPELL is a colorful, contemporary reflection on the parables of Jesus. One of the biggest Broadway musical successes of all time, the show draws from various theatrical traditions, such as clowning, pantomime, charades, and vaudeville.

February 2 – February 29
Mysteries of Plasma: The Charles Drew Story
Carpenter Science Theatre
Canada comes as a surprise to medical student Charles Drew. Canada is color blind. Drew is used to segregation in the United States. All his life, he has been defined by the color of his skin. But here at McGill University in Montreal he is welcomed everywhere. Here he is not denied access to a restaurant or swimming pool based on his African-American heritage. Canada also is where he meets Dr. John Beattie — a doctor who sparks Drew’s interest in blood research. Drew goes on to transform the medical world. He discovers how blood plasma can be stored and organizes the first blood bank. Because plasma can be given to a person with any blood type, it is perfect for blood transfusions. Relive Drew’s life as he battles to make a segregated country understand that the only differences with human blood have to do with blood type — not race.

February 6 – March 1
Visiting Mr. Green
Richmond Triangle Players
Mr. Green, an elderly, retired dry cleaner, wanders into New York traffic and is almost hit by a car driven by Ross Gardiner, a 29 year old corporate executive. The young man is given a community service of helping the recent widower once a week for six months. What starts as a comedy about two men who do not want to be in the same room together becomes a moving, emotional drama as they search for understanding amidst ignorance and suspicion. Tension stems from the age gap, lifestyle and values differences, and commitment to or indifference regarding Jewish religious values and practices. As they are forced to deal with each other, old wounds, hidden emotions and repressed feelings nursed for years are laid bare, and these inhabitants of very different generations with a common cultural heritage evolve to understanding, respect and caring for each other.

February 7 – March 2
Measure for Measure
Richmond Shakespeare at Second Presbyterian Church
Death! is the sentence for impregnating a woman before marrying her, and even though Claudio does marry his Juliet, he’s in a heap of trouble! The good Duke of Vienna has taken a break from royal duties, handing the reins of government to the strict conservative Angelo, who’s tempted by Claudio’s sister Isabella, a nun’s novice; if Isabella yields to Angelo's desire, he'll spare her brother Claudio. Confused yet? Even though appearances in Shakespeare have a way of unraveling and all might end well—someone will be put to death, someone else spends a reckless night alone with a woman he cannot see, the clowns of Vienna will howl and the city itself could crumble. Careful who you judge, as judgment might be passed on you! Mature themes but appropriate for age 14 and above.

February 8 – March 2
From the Mississippi Delta
African American Repertory
In this autobiographical play, a talented three-woman ensemble portrays all of the key roles — black, white, male, female, old, and young in the life of a Mississippi girl as she is transformed from rape victim and prostitute to civil rights champion and Pulitzer Prize-winning Ph.D. The audience will swell with pride as “Cat” comes to terms with her past, realizes a promising future and finds her own identity as she embraces her purpose.

February 15 – March 22
Doubt: A Parable
Barksdale Theatre at Willow Lawn
"What do you do when you're not sure?" Father Flynn asks the audience at the opening of Doubt. At a Bronx Catholic school in 1964, Father Flynn is a charming young priest who takes a more personable and familial approach to his charges. He clashes with stern traditionalist, Sister Aloysius, who keeps faculty and students on a tight leash. Playwright Shanley deftly brings us around to see the compassion hidden beneath the Sister’s hard exterior and the weight behind her suspicions concerning Father Flynn and his relationship with the troubled young boys he takes under his wing. Winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Doubt is a powerhouse performance that takes an unflinching, passionate look at both faith and accountability.

February 15 – February 24
For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf
Theatre VCU
This production is a choreo-poem (choreographed poetic drama) that illuminates the journey of life, love, and transformation in the lives of young women. It is the story of women whose struggles should cause them despair, but these women find strength to hope.

February 21 – March 15
The Late Henry Moss
Firehouse Theatre Project
Two antagonistic brothers, Ray and Earl, are brought together after their father, Henry Moss, is found dead in his seedy New Mexico home. Henry was a harassing, arrogant drunk; and his sons have inherited his worst qualities. Ray is determined to uncover the mysterious circumstances of Henry’s death. In three acts, the story of the father’s last days unfolds in flashbacks.

February 22 – March 9
Jesus Phreak: The Story of a Very Unlikely Disciple
St. Mark’s Players
In this one-man show, a young novelist experiences what he thinks may be a call from Christ. In response he does everything he can to run in the opposite direction, including breaking Leviticus 19:19 on a regular basis. (Get out your cotton polyester blends, everyone!) The call of Christ eventually triumphs, however, but not before the novelist takes a satirical look at small town Church life, the “politics” of Christianity, and the way grace can show up at the most unexpected times and places. A big-hearted celebration of a Christ who still breaks boundaries in his call of disciples.

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Acts of Faith Discussion Forums

The following list includes all discussion forums held at the theatres and some faith communities. Please check the individual websites for each faith community under “Who’s Involved” for an updated listing of discussions held at those locations.

November 16 – January 20
Swingtime Canteen
Barksdale Theatre at Hanover
282-2620
Discussion

January 20 after the show at Barksdale

January 23 – February 9
Sisters Rosensweig
Chamberlayne Actors Theatre
262-9760
Discussion

January 31 after the show at CAT theatre
Leaders: Twyla Kitts and Rabbi Arthur Z. Steinberg, Temple Sinai, Portsmouth, VA Amanda Durst, Director and cast
Feb 10 12:15 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church Dining Room w/ soup lunch
Leader: Dr. Jesse Rabinowitz

January 25 – February 10
Rumpelstiltskin’s Daughter
Theatre IV at Empire Theatre
344-8040
Discussion

February 10 after show at Theatre IV
Leaders: Reverend Jon Heaslet, Senior Pastor St. John’s United Church of Christ Linda Heaslet, Director of Education St. John’s United Church of Christ Theatre Director and cast

January 31 – March 22
Little Women
Swift Creek Mill Theatre
748-5203
Discussion

February 8 after show at Swift Creek Mill Theatre
Leaders: Gloria Van Houten, Director of Education, Second Presbyterian Church Jeff Gallagher, Second Presbyterian Church and founder of Acts of Faith Theatre Director and Cast
February 22 after show at Swift Creek Mill Theatre
Leader: Reverend Janet James, Pastor Gayton Kirk Presbyterian Church Theatre Director and cast
March 25 Battery Park Christian Church, Women’s Group Lunch (266-3973)
Leaders: Cynthia Butler and Peggy Broaddus

January 31 – February 9
Godspell
Seminary Shoestring Players
353-6815
Discussion

February 1 after show at Baptist Theological Seminary
February 10 1:00 p.m. Gayton Kirk Presbyterian Church
February 24 9:30 a.m. Battery Park Christian Church (266-3973)
Leader: Dr. William E. Blake, Jr., Senior Minister Battery Park Christian Church

February 2 – February 29
Mysteries of Plasma: The Charles Drew Story
Carpenter Science Theatre
864-1400
Discussion

February 23 after show at Science Museum
Leaders: Mark Zaineddin, student Union Theological Seminary Reverend Dick Neelly, Interim Pastor Second Presbyterian Church Larry Gard, Theatre Director Cast members
February 24 after show at Science Museum
Leaders: Jeff Gallagher, member Second Presbyterian, founder of Acts of Faith Reverend Sue Eaves, Rector St. Thomas Episcopal Church Larry Gard, Theatre Director Cast members
March 5 6:00 p.m soup dinner Second Presbyterian Church
Leaders: Dr. Jim Brashler, professor Union Theological Seminary Lenore Brashler

February 6 – March 1
Visiting Mr. Green
Richmond Triangle Players
346-8113
Discussion

February 14 after show at Fieldens Cabaret Theatre
February 22 after show at Fieldens Cabaret Theatre
Leader: Director Roy Proctor and cast
March 2 9:30 a.m. Second Presbyterian Church Heritage Room coffee/pastries
Leader: Betty Dickie
March 2 5:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (358-4771) dinner provided

February 7 – March 2
Measure for Measure
Richmond Shakespeare at Second Presbyterian Church
232-4000
Discussion

February 9 after show at Second Presbyterian
February 17 after show at Second Presbyterian
February 29 after show at Second Presbyterian
Leader: Reverend Elaine Bowen, Ashland Presbyterian Church Andrew Troutman, Cast Members

February 8 – March 2
From the Mississippi Delta
African American Repertory
355-2187
Discussion

February 9 after show at Pine Camp Cultural Arts Center
February 10 after show at Pine Camp Cultural Arts Center

February 15 – March 22
Doubt: A Parable
Barksdale Theatre at Willow Lawn
282-2620
Discussion

March 2 12:30 soup lunch Ginter Park Presbyterian Church (359-5049)
Leader: Reverend Carla Pratt Keyes
March 2 after show at Barksdale Willow Lawn
Leader: Bruce Miller, Artistic Director Barksdale Theatres, Cast members
March 11 9:30 a.m. Coffee and Conversation in Lobby of Barksdale Willow Lawn
March 16 (tentative) after show at Barksdale led by Lindsey Peery
Leader: Dr. Joe Coalter, Library Director, Union Theological Seminary

February 15 – February 24
For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf
Theatre VCU
828-6026
Discussion

February 24 after show at Theatre VCU
Leaders: Elder Delores Winfield, Mt Gilead Full Gospel International Ministries, Dr. Dorothy Holland, University of Richmond Theatre & Dance, Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Theatre/VCU Dr Micah McCreary
February 27 6:00 p.m. soup dinner Second Presbyterian Church
Leader: Larry and Suzy Palmer, childcare provided, donations accepted

February 21 – March 15
The Late Henry Moss
Firehouse Theatre Project
355-2001
Discussion

February 28 after show at Firehouse Theatre Project
Leaders: Dixie Brachlow, Associate Pastor Fairfield Presbyterian Mark Zaineddin, student Union Theological Seminary, Cast Members

February 22 – March 9
Jesus Phreak: The Story of a Very Unlikely Disciple
St. Mark’s Players
358-4771
Discussion

March 2 9:30 a.m. Battery Park Christian Church (266-3973)
Leader: Buddy Lucord
March 2 after show at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Leaders: R. Dale Smith, Religious Studies Instructor, VCU, cast Juliana Rasnic, Director of Christian Education, St. Mark’s
March 13 7:30 p.m. Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, Dessert and coffee (359-5049)
Leader: R. Dale Smith, Religious Studies Instructor, VCU, cast

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To Order Tickets

To purchase tickets of any of the plays included in the Acts of Faith winter drama festival, please contact the sites where the plays will take place, and mention you are calling with Acts of Faith: