Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga's 'The Christians' considers the role of the pastor

Rehearsing a scene from "The Christians" are, from left, Zack Greene, Ashley Burkhart and James Ogden. / ETC contributed photo
Rehearsing a scene from "The Christians" are, from left, Zack Greene, Ashley Burkhart and James Ogden. / ETC contributed photo

If you go

› What: “The Christians”› Where: Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave.› When: 7:30 p.m. April 12-13 and 18-20, 2:30 p.m. April 14› Admission: $20, $17 for students and senior adults› For more information: www.ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com

As Easter approaches, Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga will open a relatively new play on the market, "The Christians," for six performances beginning Friday, April 12.

"The Christians," by Lucas Hnath, is a play about the pastor of a church that started in a storefront and now has grown into a megachurch with thousands of members, a huge building, its debt paid off and a coffee shop in its lobby.

The pastor delivers a sermon that ends with an abrupt change in the philosophical and theological beliefs of this congregation he has shepherded. This change forces a schism and personal reflection.

Playing the pastor is James Ogden, joined by Casey Keelen as his wife. Kashun Parks is the church elder, Zachery Greene is the associate pastor and Ashley Burkhart is the congregant. Garry Lee Posey is directing the drama.

"Christianity is such a complex ideal for me. I'm fascinated by the faithful devotion and fellowship, but I'm conflicted when ideology challenges what I understand about Christ's teachings," says Posey.

"Within the first few pages of the script, 'The Christians' captures a personal conflict and uses it as an inciting incident to affect change. The result is both unexpected and completely understandable.

"We have always wanted to present a play that addresses faith in an objective manner," says Posey. "But the issue with most scripts written in that vein is that there is either a heavy dose of proselytizing or a highly melodramatic, sensationalized approach to a moral lesson. That isn't the kind of theater we like to present."

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