Play set in courtroom to be performed at law school

Rehearsals are underway for TheatreOCU’s next mainstage show, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot.

The play was written in 2005 by Stephen Adly Guirgis and is the story of the trial of Judas, the man who betrayed Jesus Christ. The play takes place in a space between Heaven and Hell with no set time. A series of colorful characters are brought to the witness stand to tell the story, including Sigmund Freud, Mother Theresa and Satan.

This is the first time OCU has performed this show. The School of Theater is collaborating with the Wimberly School of Religion, School of Law and the Honors Program to create a cross-campus learning opportunity. Classes in the Honors Program and religion school have read the show and will participate in a round table discussion about the play. Law students were asked to attend the show to learn about acting in the courtroom.

“Plays are a combination of art, literature, design, and history so it’s an interdisciplinary event,” said Brian Parsons, dean of the School of Theater and director.

The show will be downtown in the law school’s mock courtroom, 800 N. Harvey Ave., which is designed to look like a federal court room.

“This is an extremely funny and wacky show as it bends gender roles and time,” Parson said “It’s also challenging and provocative because it asks more questions than it answers about faith, loyalty, free-will and prejudice. Christ tells Judas to ‘do what he has to do,’ so is it really wrong of him or was he just following orders?”

Because of the venue of this production, seating is limited and students are urged to buy tickets beforehand. Based on demand, an additional $5 performance will occur the night of Feb. 24 during the dress rehearsal.

“This is one of the most beautifully controversial shows I’ve ever read. It’s a story that is thousands of years old but the production makes it relevant,” said Lincoln Korver, acting sophomore portraying “Judas.”

The show runs at 8 p.m. Feb. 26-27 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 28. General tickets are $12 and student tickets are $8. They are available online or in the box office of the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment.

To preview a one-minute summary of the show, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOhGR2Q3ieA.