Thiel Players probe ideas of faith in Lucas Hnath’s production ‘The Christians’

Posted November 08, 2018 Print

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- The Thiel Players open its production of “The Christians” Friday with shows Saturday and Sunday in the William A. Robinson Theater.

The production is free and open to the public. Reservations are not necessary, but are recommended.

“The Christians” was written by Lucas Hnath and examines influence and faith in a megachurch, with much of the cast being a church “spirit-raising choir.” In the play, a pastor discards traditional fundamentalist Christianity in favor of a more inclusive and universalist Christianity, which affirms the goodness in other religions. The work examines the impact of those decisions on his congregation.

The Thiel Players have provided free theater for the campus and community for five decades. They choose productions on a three-year rotation. Over the course of six semesters, students work on a Classical piece, a period-language piece, an early modernist piece, an English language classic, a contemporary play, a musical and a production for young audiences.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 9–10 and 2 p.m. on Nov 11. The William A. Robinson Theater is located behind the William A. Passavant Memorial Center on campus.

Shows are free, but reservations are recommended.

Reserve tickets by email.

All unclaimed reservations will be released to waiting patrons five minutes before the show. Donations are accepted in the box office before and after performances.