Crowded Fire Theater: Church

Show Details

Young Jean Lee

What does it mean to lose, gain and question faith? In CHURCH, Young Jean Lee transforms her lifelong struggle with Christianity into an exuberant church service. A traveling group of earnest reverends testify through narrative, song, and dance, testing the expectations of religious and non-religious alike. In its New York City premiere, Time Out New York described CHURCH as “no cheap satire of piety. Instead, it is an earnestly warped attempt to explore what gives religion its insidious appeal.”

NOTE: We’re inviting you to Sunday Matinee’s for CHURCH! Please note that there are NO performances on Thursday, September 20th and Wednesday, September 26. Instead, you can join us at 2pm on Sunday, September 23, and 2pm on Sunday, September 30.

Cast

Featuring: Jordan María Don, Nkechi Emeruwa, Lawrence Radecker*, and Alison Whismore

Assistant Director: Nailah Harper-Malveaux*
Dramaturg: Sonia Fernandez*
Assistant Dramaturg: Isabelle Smith
Stage Manager: Rachel Mogan*
Assistant Stage Manager: Kitty Dacy
Scenic Designer: Randy Wong-Westbrooke
Costume Designer: Alice Ruiz
Lighting Designer: Cassie Barnes
Sound Designer: James Ard*
Choreographer: Mark Allen Davis
Music Director: Min Kahng

*Crowded Fire Resident Artist

Reviews

“Hear the good word. You’ll want to convert to Crowded Fire’s “Church,” no matter your spiritual background.”
“…makes for a singular theatrical experience: the feeling of being completely alone, yet being alone together.”
“It’s as if the divine – either spiritual or theatrical or both – is beaming down directly on you.”
San Francisco Chronicle

“Genius strikes home. Director Mina Morita has assembled and designed the perfect cast and company to bring it all home to Crowded Fire Theater.”
Theatrius

“….excellent production … you feel as if someone has bothered to speak to you, has taken the time to address your ills, fears and the times in which we live.”

The Free Audience

Photos

The cast of CHURCH (from L to R): Lawrence Radecker, Jordan María Don, Nkechi Emeruwa, Alison Whismore.

The Reverends dance joyfully in CHURCH at Crowded Fire September 13 – October 6. (from L-R) Jordan María Don, Lawrence Radecker, Nkechi Emeruwa, Alison Whismore.

Reverends Jordan, Alison, and Nkechi share a moment of joy in CHURCH at Crowded Fire September 13 – October 6. (from L-R) Jordan María Don, Alison Whismore, Nkechi Emeruwa.

Reverend Jose addresses the crowd at CHURCH, at Crowded Fire September 13 – October 6. (from L-R) Lawrence Radecker, Jordan María Don, Nkechi Emeruwa.

Reverend Nkechi, played by Nkechi Emeruwa, reaches out a hand in CHURCH at Crowded Fire September 13 – October 6.

Reverends Nkechi, Alison, and Jordan celebrating in CHURCH, at Crowded Fire September 13 – October 6. (from L-R) Nkechi Emeruwa, Alison Whismore, Jordan María Don.

Reverends Jordan, Alison, and Nkechi pull each other into a dance in CHURCH at Crowded Fire September 13 – October 6. (from L-R) Nkechi Emeruwa, Alison Whismore, Jordan María Don.

Funders

Supported by the San Francisco Arts Commission

The Zellerbach Family Foundation

Jennifer DeVere Brody

Karena Fiorenza and Emrys Ingersoll

Celine and Dan Shimizu

Robert Shimizu

Joseph Mallon + Susanne Trowbridge