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Corpus Christi: It Takes a Gay Church


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The Cathedral of Hope, a predominantly LGBT congregation in Dallas, has decided to be the third Texas institution in a month to attempt a presentation of the Terrence McNally play Corpus Christi. Two earlier attempts to stage the play, which features a gay Christlike figure, were canceled due to security concerns.

The Cathedral of Hope, affiliated with the United Church of Christ, will present a touring production of Corpus Christi, not the student production canceled at two other locations. Performances are scheduled in early June.

According to local public broadcaster KERA, “The decision by the world's largest gay church to present Corpus Christi follows the refusal by Fort Worth's Rose Marine Theatre to stage the play. That one-act version was a student production and was offered to the Rose Marine after it was cancelled last month at Tarleton State University in Stephenville. Cathedral of Hope Senior Pastor Jo Hudson says THIS show will go on.”

“Our worshipping congregation felt positive that this is an important move for us to bring this play,” Hudson told KERA. “No doubt there will be people who send hate mail or hate e-mail, or make threatening phone calls, and we're prepared to respond to people who are offended in some way by it.”

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Reader Comments
  • Name: melvin
    Date posted: 4/21/2010 3:23:11 AM
    Hometown: South Dakota

    Comment:

    Whether the play is good or bad is beside the point. I suppose the right will cry foul and say it is defamation and that is why they don't want it. But as freedom of speech is so supported, there is no right not to be insulted. At least that is their argument. I would go out of curiosity. I would suggest that this church have 24/7 security now and till a few weeks afterward. There are wing-nuts in Texas demonstrated many times by church burning, dragging, and police harassment. I would hope that some security force and or wealthy businessman supply the funds for this.

  • Name: Ben
    Date posted: 4/21/2010 1:16:43 AM
    Hometown: Atlanta

    Comment:

    I have not seen it but did read a few bad reviews. It can't be worse than some of the local 'Passion Play' performances I had to sit through or participate in as a child. I'm sure they would have been vastly improved by a vicious queen director. At this point I don't really think content matters.

  • Name: Bud
    Date posted: 4/20/2010 11:51:44 PM
    Hometown: houston

    Comment:

    Have any of you guys seen this play. I have and it is dreadful! Not for the gay context, but because it is so poorly written. Mr. McNally's most cliche' ridden work. Concept is interesting but the execution is tired. The struggle to get it performed is far more interesting than the play itself.

  • Name: Jay
    Date posted: 4/20/2010 3:55:34 PM
    Hometown: San Jose

    Comment:

    The Christian right will have to take their threats to the next level to try to stop this LGBT production, e.g., bricks through the windows, graffitti on church walls, etc., because it seems verbal threats alone aren't going to work this time. We'll have to wait to see. Any guesses what will happen?

  • Name: Ben
    Date posted: 4/20/2010 12:54:58 PM
    Hometown: Atlanta

    Comment:

    The play was first produced in 1998. You can use any search engine to find it. It deals with the birth through the crucifiction of Christ. The story is modernized and the characters are gay. It takes place in Texas. The symbology and ideas aren't altered beyond recognition.

  • Name: Deke
    Date posted: 4/20/2010 11:58:32 AM
    Hometown: hino JP

    Comment:

    I for one would like to know what this play is about. We have heard so much about the play itself, but I feel rather uninformed about it...



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