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Overview
Synopsis
Highly theatrical and yet intimate at the same time, Lucas Hnath’s The Christians blurs the line between church and theatre (and in some ways, turns one into the other). In an unspecified American locale, Pastor Paul basks in the glory of having built a megachurch with thousands of loyal congregants and a newly-paid-for building. But a singular sermon that will radically shift the church’s teachings starts a ripple effect that could have devastating consequences both personally and professionally. Hnath’s masterful use of language illuminates the showmanship and the faltering of a pastor caught between preserving what he believes to be true or the church that he’s dedicated his life to building. With richly layered and authentic characters, The Christians is an immersive look at the cost of internal politics.
Show Information
- Book
- Lucas Hnath
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 2014
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- A megachurch in 21st-century America
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Dramatists Play Service
- Ideal For
- College/University, Ensemble Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Includes Adult Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A group of performers who function as a unit in a production rather than as individuals with leading roles.
A style of performance where the audience becomes part of the story environment. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
A large Christian congregation, sometimes satirized or critiqued in theatre for spectacle and commercialization.
Characters or movements favoring reform and innovation, often highlighted in political or social drama.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Kevan Dunkelberg
Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright