Corpus Christi (play)

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Corpus Christi is a passion play by Terrence McNally dramatizing the story of Jesus and the Apostles. Some consider it to be controversial due to its depiction of Jesus and the Apostles as gay men living in modern day Texas. It contrasts modern devices like television with anachronisms like Roman occupation. In this version, Judas betrays Jesus because of sexual jealousy.

It received both critical acclaim for its exploration of gay themes in Christianity and condemnation for what some religious people view as blasphemy. It was directed in New York City by Joe Mantello, opening October 13, 1998.

On January 19, 2008, Robert Forsyth, Anglican bishop of South Sydney condemned "Corpus Christi", which was being produced as part of February's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, as "deliberately, not innocently, offensive and they're obviously having a laugh about it." The play also showed Jesus' administration of gay marriage between 2 apostles. Director Leigh Rowney accepted that it would offend some Christians and said: "I wanted this play in the hands of a Christian person like myself to give it dignity but still open it up to answering questions about Christianity as a faith system." Playwright Terrence McNally, a gay man, received death threats when it was played in the United States.^[1]

At the University of California, Santa Cruz, Corpus Christi was produced as a part of the 2007-2008 season in the Spring quarter. Directed by graduate student James A. Martin, the cast (while originally intended to be all male) included five female disciples, and was generally well-received. Ann Bennett of the Santa Cruz Sentinel described the production "powerful... -- it is savage but simultaneously beautiful and often unexpectedly funny."