The last section begins in 1969 South Dakota, where the annual passion play for tourists is becoming profitable to the community, the religious aspect increasingly incidental. There is a send-off party for the actor who has been playing Jesus, but his injuries upon returning from Vietnam are nothing compared to the condition of his brother, the Pontius character. Like his biblical predecessor, he has sentenced innocent men to die, in his case by giving orders in war. Cullen gives a bravura execution as the distraught veteran, but it's out of scale to the rest of the performances. He's a good enough actor, though, to learn that sometimes less is more and go smaller, perhaps even later in this run. Other actors who fill out the cast are George Perez, Frank Ryan, and Christopher Teixeira.
Passion Play is an adventurous accomplishment by Ruhl, punctuated with moments of insight into theatrical and interpersonal relationships. Epic Theatre Company lays that all out for us with enthusiasm.
Topics:
Theater
, Sarah Ruhl, Hope Artiste Village, Epic Theatre Company
