FSU Theatre presents The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, September 27-30
Fayetteville State University Theatre will present The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis September 27-30, 2012, in Butler Theater on the FSU campus. Set in a corner of Purgatory called “Hope,” The Last Days of Judas Iscariot tells the story of the hypothetical trial of Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus Christ. Performed Off-Broadway (2005) and in the West End (2008), the play explores the motivation behind Judas’ actions leading up to his betrayal of Christ by way of a classic courtroom drama and a series of flashbacks. Witnesses at the trial include Pontius Pilate, Mother Teresa, Sigmund Freud, Satan, and a handful of disciples, from Saint Peter to Saint Thomas. Over the course of the play, each witness makes his or her case about Judas’ guilt and innocence.
The production is directed by FSU Assistant Professor of Theatre, Jeremy Fiebig, and designed by Assistant Professor of Theatre, David Griffie. ”The play updates a lot of longstanding religious debate and presents many of the characters, from Saint Matthew to Pontius Pilate, in a new, fresh way,” says Fiebig, “Our Purgatory and this courtroom in Hope match the urban spirit of the writing.” The production features a makeshift courtroom in the middle of a gothic church-turned-nightclub that feeds into the controversy at the heart of the play: a mix of faith, defiance, blasphemy, and belief.
“This isn’t the Sunday School version of the story,” says Fiebig, “This play wrestles with some of the deepest and most troublesome questions of faith.” The play contains both provocative language and an often irreverent approach to some of history’s most venerated figures. ”Judas isn’t the only one on trial here. Mother Teresa, Pilate, Freud, Jesus, and even God become targets in the play. No one escapes the spotlight — or the condemnation — in this one,” says Fiebig, “At the same time, the play isn’t Southpark. There is a deep message about the role of forgiveness, grace, guilt, and the presence of God at the heart of the play. I think one of the realizations we have as we watch it is that we are not unlike Judas. And that realization can be both troubling and moving.”
The play features student actors from FSU and others in the community.
Ticket prices are as follows:
ADVANCE ticket prices, good up until 24 hours before any given performance, are:
$10 for adults
$8 Staff, faculty and senior citizens
$3 for children (0-12)
$3 for FSU students with a valid ID ONLY until curtain time. After curtain full adult price will apply.
AT THE DOOR ticket prices, good for day-of-show ticket purchases, are:
$12 for adults
$10 for faculty, staff, non-FSU students with valid student id, and senior citizens
$5 for children (0-12)
$3 for FSU students with a valid ID ONLY until curtain time. After curtain full adult price will apply.
You can purchase individual theatre tickets ONLINE at Etix or by calling (910) 672-1724.
Show times for The Last Days of Judas Iscariot are Thursday, September 27, through Saturday, September 29 at 7:30pm and Sunday, September 30, at 3pm.
This production is not recommended for young or immature audiences due to coarse language and religious content some may find offensive.
For more information, please contact Jeremy Fiebig at jfiebig@uncfsu.edu or by calling (910) 672-2574.
The primary mission of the Department of Performing and Fine Arts is to produce graduates in the performing and fine arts – music, dance, theater, visual arts – that will be leaders in their respective fields and its advocate. The Department is also committed to building community through the arts by being a resource for performing and fine arts pedagogy, cultivating a climate where creativity flourishes, engaging the community with the arts, and making the arts accessible to all.
The theatre program’s mission is to serve as an artistic, intellectual, and multi-cultural resource for the communities and institutions of southeast North Carolina and beyond. As an educational center, the student’s talents will be continually developed through performance and production techniques based on a comprehensive education in the history, theory, and craft of theater. We seek to produce graduates who value artistic collaboration and will be leaders in their field and its advocate.