The trial explores these ideas with testimony from a mix of renowned and unfamiliar witnesses from eras ranging from the first century to the twentieth and places ranging from Heaven to Hell. The disorder of this outpost of the afterlife suggests that our ideas about the afterlife are just as messy.

The chancel of Jefferson Avenue Mission is monumentally cluttered. Schoenback and the scenic design by Kara Grimm-Denholm send a powerful message about the subject. The production concept by director Kristin L. No character in history presents a better case for testing this belief than Judas, who betrayed the ultimate source of forgiveness, Jesus, and then hanged himself in despair. The doctrine the lawyer is challenging is mentioned in the play, that the only unforgivable sin is despair: that is, thinking one’s sins are too great to be forgiven. It is set in Purgatory, where an idealistic lawyer seeks a hearing to argue for the release of the title character from his endless suffering. The play is The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis. Cats Cradle is based in Chicago, but 17 of the 20 artists in this production are local. Viewers may be challenged and/or offended by character depictions and behaviors that may be triggering for audience members.An excellent staging of a thought-provoking play is the inaugural production of a collaboration between Cats Cradle Theatre and the Jefferson Avenue Mission in Fox Park. THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.Ĭontent Warning: This production contains mature content, themes, and language. Through outrageous comedy and deep pathos, this play challenges audiences to reflect upon their own beliefs, their own sin and to reconsider what they know about forgiveness, faith, and the human inside one of the history’s most infamous figures. Whether Judas enters through the gates of heaven or burns in hell rests upon the testimony of saints and sinners including Pontius Pilate, Mother Teresa, Sigmund Freud, Satan and others. Set in a Purgatory courtroom, Judas is brought to judgement to determine if he is guilty of greatest betrayal of all time. The Last Days of Judas Iscariot reexamines the fate of the New Testament’s greatest villain, a traitor, who betrayed his Lord for 30 pieces of silver.

2020-21 Season Press Releases & AnnouncementsĪn immersive theater experience mixing both comedy and drama amidst a time-bending world between heaven and hell.2021-22 Season Press Releases & Announcements.2022-23 Season Press Releases & Announcements.Tacoma’s Historic Theater District Capital Campaign in the news.Tacoma Arts Live is recognized for our leadership in presenting world-class performing artists, providing nationally recognized performing arts access and education programs in Washington State.

Last trial of judas iscariot