Corpus Christi by Terrence McNally

Because of its intense themes, representations of abuse, and use of profanity, this production is recommended for audiences aged 18 and above.

On-site counselors are available to help guests that might need help processing the intellectual, physical, and emotional experience of Corpus Christi or who may need access to additional support services and resources.

All Thursday night tickets include a post-show Q&A with the cast, director, and members of the production team.

LOCATION: St. John's Metropolitan Community Church

ADDRESS: 4 N. Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27601

COST: Pay-What-You-Can (suggested $15 donation)

TICKETS: Pre-order online via Eventbrite or buy at the door (cash or card).

DOORS: Lobby doors open to patrons at 6:00 PM. Theatre doors open at 6:30 PM.

DATES & TIMES:

Thursday, June 1 at 7:00 PM

Friday, June 2 at 7:00 PM

Saturday, June 3 at 7:00 PM

Thursday, June 8 at 7:00 PM

Friday, June 9 at 7:00 PM

Saturday, June 10 at 7:00 PM

St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church presents Corpus Christi, a queer passion play by Terrence McNally, during the first two weekends in June to honor Pride month and the church’s accepting and affirming position regarding all types of people, including those who identify as LGBTQ+. The production is being sponsored in part by the A.J. Fletcher Foundation.

Corpus Christi was workshopped by the author with the theatre department at the UNC School of the Arts before its off-Broadway premiere. It was originally produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club on September 22, 1998. This is the first NC production of the play in more than 20 years and its premier in the Triangle.

The play depicts the story of Jesus and the disciples as queer people living in Texas in the 20th century. Featured scenes include a campy Christmas play, an 80s high school dance between a Black Jesus and Judas, a ghostly encounter with James Dean, and the inevitably painful and shocking ending at Calvary.

"McNally uses the Christ story to tell a contemporary tale of the fight against cruelty, division, hatred, and, above all, hypocrisy.” — BackStage.

Terrence McNally (1938-2020) was the Tony and Emmy-Award winning author of the plays Love! Valour! Compassion!, Master Class, Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune, Lips Together Teeth Apart, Mothers and Sons, and the musicals Ragtime, The Full Monty, Catch Me if You Can, and Anastasia. He died of complications from COVID-19 on March 24, 2020.

The reimagined staging and direction of the St. John’s MCC production is by Dustin Britt, Award-winning NC theatre maker. Britt is known for bold new interpretations of classic plays in immersive, fitting locations -- Timon of Athens in a queer night club, Our Town with an onstage audience, Marat/Sade in both a Friends meeting house and St. John's Metropolitan Community Church, The Miracle Worker in a 19th century historic home, and ShakesBEER, a multi-year tour of NC breweries.

Featuring performances by Chris Acevedo, Benaiah Adesoji, Byron Ard, Nathaniel Bush Jr, Kat Cupp, Philip Guadagno, Desmond Leach, Naveed Moeed, Alastair Motylinski, Mitchell Aaron Mulkey, Nat M. Sherwood, Xenon Winslow, and Stephanie Yu.

Directed by Dustin Britt and produced by Rev. Vance Haywood. Stage management and dramaturgy by Serayah Silver. Intimacy direction by Veronica Dress (Intimacy Directors and Coordinators) with music direction by Philip Guadagno and fight choreography by Mitchell Aaron Mulkey (Society of American Fight Directors). Accessibility coordination by Teal Lepley.

Costumes designed by Gray Nico, props designed by Mikki Marvel, scenic design by Lynnette Paris Johnson, and sound design by Durham-based music producer and singer-songwriter Alex Riggs. Graphic design by Dustin Britt.

Click here to learn more about this production and St. John's MCC.

Click here to listen to the production's official soundtrack

This is an independent, home-grown production with an entirely LGBTQIA+ cast and crew. Both seasoned professionals and newcomers have come from across the state to provide their time, effort, and love to bring this story to our community for the first time, without the backing of a theatre company.

If you would like to make a donation that supports the creation of this show -- or if you wish to support the show but cannot attend in person -- you can make

#CorpusChristi

Host or Publisher St. John's MCC