what's the buzz?
Mr. Olson is instantly likable and believable as the senator. [He] embodies his character’s conflicted emotions in his facial expressions and gestures. His is the strongest and deepest performance in the play. - The Enterprise
The political dramedy “Church & State” sneaks up on you and settles in the part of your brain where you lock away horrific news you hope never happens in your community. [It] is not an easy play, but I believe a production that lingers in your consciousness is a good production. - The Cape Cod Times
The political dramedy “Church & State” sneaks up on you and settles in the part of your brain where you lock away horrific news you hope never happens in your community. [It] is not an easy play, but I believe a production that lingers in your consciousness is a good production. - The Cape Cod Times
photos
synopsis
In the wake of a devastating school shooting at his son’s elementary school in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. Senator Charles Whitmore makes an off-the-cuff comment to a reporter that goes viral, calling into question the conservative Republican senator’s stance on guns and God. It’s just three days before what he had hoped would be his re-election. His devoutly Christian wife Sara and liberal Jewish campaign manager Alex Klein try to contain the damage, as the play presents both sides of the gun debate.
A “serious comedy,” “Church and State” is simultaneously funny, heartbreaking, and uplifting in its examination of how religion influences politics and how politics has become a religion.
A “serious comedy,” “Church and State” is simultaneously funny, heartbreaking, and uplifting in its examination of how religion influences politics and how politics has become a religion.
cast and crew
Cast in order of appearance:
Senator Charles Whitmore………..………… Garrett Olson
Sara Whitmore…………………………....……….. Stephanie Clark
Alex Klein………………………………………....…… Jess Wilson
Tom/Marshall/Security/Reporter………. Christopher Smythe
Crew:
Director……………………………………….. Holly Cipriani
Stage Manager…………….………………. Annie Rossi
Technical Director (CCftA)……………. Erin Trainor
Technical Director (WATC)…………… Garrett Olson
Sound Design……………………………….. Jess Wilson
Poster Artwork……………………………… Victoria Smith
Producer (CCftA)………………………….. Jason Mellin
Producer (WATC)…………………………. Garrett Olson
Jess Wilson
Senator Charles Whitmore………..………… Garrett Olson
Sara Whitmore…………………………....……….. Stephanie Clark
Alex Klein………………………………………....…… Jess Wilson
Tom/Marshall/Security/Reporter………. Christopher Smythe
Crew:
Director……………………………………….. Holly Cipriani
Stage Manager…………….………………. Annie Rossi
Technical Director (CCftA)……………. Erin Trainor
Technical Director (WATC)…………… Garrett Olson
Sound Design……………………………….. Jess Wilson
Poster Artwork……………………………… Victoria Smith
Producer (CCftA)………………………….. Jason Mellin
Producer (WATC)…………………………. Garrett Olson
Jess Wilson
special thanks
Lisa Azizian, Rob Hakala, Jr., Ari Lew, Barry Lew, Sawyer Harrington-Verb, Sean MacIsaac
Jason Mellin, Garry Mitchell, Ian Rubinstein, WATD 95.9 FM Marshfield
Jason Mellin, Garry Mitchell, Ian Rubinstein, WATD 95.9 FM Marshfield
press release
WatermelonAlligator Theatre Company presents “Church and State,” by Jason Odell Williams, at Cotuit Center for the Arts’s Black Box Theater February 13 through March 1. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 2 PM. Holly Cipriani directs.
“Legislators face a tough task, balancing citizens’ rights against public safety concerns. This play does not provide pat answers. To the contrary, the playwright has penned a work that, hopefully, may stimulate thought and discussion about this divisive issue,” says director Holly Cipriani.
In the wake of a devastating school shooting at his son’s elementary school in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. Senator Charles Whitmore (played by Garrett Olson) makes an off-the-cuff comment to a reporter (Christopher Smythe) that goes viral, calling into question the conservative Republican senator’s stance on guns and God.
It’s just three days before what he had hoped would be his re-election. His devoutly Christian wife Sara (Stephanie Clark) and liberal Jewish campaign manager Alex Klein (Jess Wilson) try to contain the damage, as the play presents both sides of the gun debate.
A “serious comedy,” “Church and State” is simultaneously funny, heartbreaking, and uplifting in its examination of how religion influences politics and how politics has become a religion.
The Los Angeles Times wrote, “’Church and State’ is surprisingly subtle and gripping entertainment.” NPR stated, “This is a powerful, often humorous, and highly contemporary piece…. The play has several surprises, four fascinating characters, and so many lines that resonate.
Williams was inspired to write “Church and State” after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in 2012 and the 2007 mass killings at Virginia Tech, a football rival of his alma mater, the University of Virginia. The play premiered in Rochester, NY in 2016 and was performed in Los Angeles in 2016, where it won three Ovation awards, and off-Broadway in 2017.
In an interview with the Huffington Post, Williams talked about the power of the theater to present opposing arguments and encourage people to think, talk to each other, and to take action. “I’d like people to be moved by the story, by the characters,” he said. “I’d like them to talk about faith and politics and maybe be energized to support some of the great anti-gun violence organizations that we’ve partnered with.”
Tickets are $20, $15 discount for members. Cotuit Center for the Arts is at 4404 Route 28 in Cotuit. For more information, visit artsonthecape.org or call 508-428-0669.
“Legislators face a tough task, balancing citizens’ rights against public safety concerns. This play does not provide pat answers. To the contrary, the playwright has penned a work that, hopefully, may stimulate thought and discussion about this divisive issue,” says director Holly Cipriani.
In the wake of a devastating school shooting at his son’s elementary school in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. Senator Charles Whitmore (played by Garrett Olson) makes an off-the-cuff comment to a reporter (Christopher Smythe) that goes viral, calling into question the conservative Republican senator’s stance on guns and God.
It’s just three days before what he had hoped would be his re-election. His devoutly Christian wife Sara (Stephanie Clark) and liberal Jewish campaign manager Alex Klein (Jess Wilson) try to contain the damage, as the play presents both sides of the gun debate.
A “serious comedy,” “Church and State” is simultaneously funny, heartbreaking, and uplifting in its examination of how religion influences politics and how politics has become a religion.
The Los Angeles Times wrote, “’Church and State’ is surprisingly subtle and gripping entertainment.” NPR stated, “This is a powerful, often humorous, and highly contemporary piece…. The play has several surprises, four fascinating characters, and so many lines that resonate.
Williams was inspired to write “Church and State” after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in 2012 and the 2007 mass killings at Virginia Tech, a football rival of his alma mater, the University of Virginia. The play premiered in Rochester, NY in 2016 and was performed in Los Angeles in 2016, where it won three Ovation awards, and off-Broadway in 2017.
In an interview with the Huffington Post, Williams talked about the power of the theater to present opposing arguments and encourage people to think, talk to each other, and to take action. “I’d like people to be moved by the story, by the characters,” he said. “I’d like them to talk about faith and politics and maybe be energized to support some of the great anti-gun violence organizations that we’ve partnered with.”
Tickets are $20, $15 discount for members. Cotuit Center for the Arts is at 4404 Route 28 in Cotuit. For more information, visit artsonthecape.org or call 508-428-0669.