FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2004
CONTACT: Faith Jackson
Office of University Relations
908-737-NEWS (6397)
Pride Theatre Presents Corpus Christi at Kean University
UNION, N.J. – Starting June 11, at 8 p.m., Kean University’s Pride Theatre will present Corpus Christi, a play by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Terrence McNally at the Murphy-Dunn Theatre in Vaughn-Eames Hall, at 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, N.J. Additional show times are June 12 and 18, at 8 p.m., and June 19, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Corpus Christi traces the birth, ministry and death of a prophet, Joshua, who is born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, during the early 1950s. He brings a message of love – that all people are equal under God – but his teachings fall on deaf ears. Though this moving and thought-provoking opus deals with familiar themes, it stirred up controversy during its 1997 New York City debut due to its portrayal of the main characters as homosexuals.
McNally, one of America’s leading contemporary playwrights, has authored several critically acclaimed works, such as Love! Valour! Compassion! and Frankie and Johnny at the Claire de Lune. He also collaborated with composers and lyricists to create the two popular musicals The Kiss of the Spider Woman and Ragtime. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, McNally has won four Tony Awards®, an Emmy™ and numerous other awards, grants and fellowships.
This year’s production is in keeping with the aim of Kean’s
Pride Theatre, founded 11 years ago by retired theatre department chair,
Dr. James R. Murphy, to educate and inform audiences about the normalcy
of alternative lifestyles. Today, the program is headed by Dr. E. Teresa
Choate, associate professor of communication and theatre. "Corpus
Christi is really about the golden rule, 'Do unto others as you would
have done unto you,’” said Choate. “Everyone hopes one
day to find that special person to love. McNally's play presents a passionate
plea for all people to have the right to fall in love, marry and spend
a life together.”
Tickets are $12 for the public; $5 per person for groups of 10 or more;
and $7 for seniors and students. Seating is general and tickets are purchased
at the door. Reservations are not accepted. For further information, call
Kean University’s Department of Theatre at (908) 737-4420.
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