Jesus is having a moment–at least in the Off-Broadway scene. Currently, three shows prominently feature the most revered figure in all of Christianity. Fortunately, it’s not the white washed, European version of him many of us incorrectly came to know through pictures and artwork. After all, if one truly believes the bible, they should know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, located in the West Bank of Palestine. White Jesus? Try again!
Here are a few shows that portray Christianity through a black lens:
SATURDAY CHURCH
Australian singer-songwriter and Grammy nominated Sia loaned her talents to provide music and lyrics to this heartwarming tuner based on a little known 2017 movie of the same name. Stage newcomer Bryson Battle stars as Ulysses, a young effeminate boy with dreams to sing in the church choir. His mother Amara (Kristolyn Lloyd) is too busy making ends meet to concern herself over such matters while his Aunt Rose (Tony winner Joaquina Kalukango), a devout but ornery parishioner, discourages his desire because he’s too “flouncy”.
Tony winner J. Harrison Ghee brings hope in the dual role of the church pastor who dotes over Aunt Rose and Black Jesus, a larger than life figure who inspires Ulysses to become his true self.
Community may reside in the church, but it’s also vibrantly alive in a Saturday night community center where LGBTQ+ folks gather to dance, sing, and infuse each other with boundless joy.
Saturday Church is a completely predictable story and it’s obvious to see what’s coming within the first 15 minutes. In many ways, it feels dated and certain songs feel forced into the story. Still, there’s enough goodwill, brought to you by Whitney White’s dynamic cast to leave you floating from the theater like Seraphim.
But hurry! The final service is this Friday, October 24th.
Saturday Church is now playing Off-Broadway at New York Theater Workshop (79 E.4th Street) through October 24th. For tickets and information, click here : nytw.org, tickets
HEAUX CHURCH
No matter what you church you attend–or have ever attended, it’s a safe bet that it’s not anything close to what Brandon Kyle Goodman has in store for you. That alone deserves a “Hallelujah!” Goodman is an Emmy nominated actor, writer, and host, best known for the Netflix show Big Mouth and other popular tv shows. In hissolo show, Goodman breaks down much of the stigma we collectively have around sex, shame, self-acceptance, love, and trauma and waves it into a bright pink, buoyant celebration.
Literally no topic is off limits and Goodman pushes boundaries using animated puppets, tambourines, and food. You will never look at your Krispy Kreme donut in the same way again. Director Lisa Owaki Bierman blesses the production with a gentle hand.
Funny and outrageous though it is, Heaux Church is also a serious place of healing as Goodman embraces their congregation, assuring parishioners that they are not alone in the feelings of grief and shame. Strangers connect. Wounds heal. This is church the way it was meant to be. Not as a place of rules, restrictions, repression, or inadequacy, But instead, as a place of unconditional acceptance and love where we walk in as wounded humans and leave as supernatural warriors–and maybe even an A+ student of bedroom activity.
Heaux Church is playing Off-Broadway at Ars Nova (511 West 54th Street) through November 8th. For tickets and information, click here: arsnovanyc.com.
OH HAPPY DAY!
Editors Note: Manhattan Digest has not yet reviewed the show
Tony nominated playwright Jordan E. Cooper spoke with Forbes magazine about his show, Oh Happy Day! currently running at the Public Theatre. “It’s my own reimagining of Noah's Ark through a modern day lens. The black sheep of a family believes he's been told that the world is going to flood and he has to save the family that kicked him out when he was a teenager. And a lot of absurdity ensues after that,” Cooper says.
A lot of praise has also ensued. Culture Sauce writes “Oh Happy Day! is messy, in the same way that life can be messy. It’s funny, it’s sad, it’s raw, and ultimately uplifting — thanks in no small measure to Lawrence’s soulful songs of encouragement and praise.
The New York Times says, ““Oh Happy Day!” has an ace cast that rides the script’s tonal shifts like so many waves.”
Oh Happy Day! is currently running at the Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street, NY NY) through November 9th. for tickets and information, click here : publictheater.org, oh happy day
Although this solo show isn’t focused on a black queer version of fundamental Christianity, it does share many of the same qualities as the above shows and is well worth checking out
NOTHING CAN TAKE YOU FROM THE HAND OF GOD
Although it is not fully autobiographical, star and co-writer Jen Tullock has incorporated much of herself into this solo show about growing up in an extremely religious home and church in Kentucky. Abuse and shame were commonplace and now the record is being set right. Tullock’s character, Frances Reinhardt has written a memoir called Never the Twain Shall Meet: Losing God and Finding Myself and is making the media rounds to promote the book. Her church, Northeast Missions Church, obtained an advance copy and are now threatening her with lawsuits.
In true fundamental Christian fashion, they gaslight her, forcing her to question whether everything that happened to her was true or not.
Tullock and her co-writer Frank Winters have constructed a scorching and vulnerable portrait of small-town, evangelical life. Through multi-camera use brilliantly designed by Jared Mezzocchi, Tullock portrays numerous characters, including the host, who is interviewing her about the book.
Tullock, herself a lesbian, nails every character perfectly and illuminates both the false beliefs and false acceptance that is all too prevalent in too many churches. Yet she also allows grace for the nuanced complexity that such an upbringing can ignite. Hurtful though it is, there is a certain comfort in the people, hymns and rituals. One of the most powerful moments comes near the end. “I’m homesick and I can’t go home,” she says–and repeats it again for an emotional impact that is all too relatable for too many who have been hurt by the church.
At a time when everything is either this or that, Tullock and Winters so beautifully render a story expressing the idea that painful situations can be both this and that.
Nothing Can Take You From the Hand of God is currently running at Playwrights Horizons (416 West 42nd Street) through November 9th. For tickets and information, click here: playwrightshorizons.org, nothing can take you from the hand of god
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