The Moorpark College Theatre Arts Department announces its upcoming production of “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” by Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Adly Guirgis. This dark comedy poses a question of biblical proportions: Is history’s most notorious traitor worthy of forgiveness? This production takes place Oct. 10-20, with 8 p.m. shows Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
As an extension of its ongoing Youth Outreach Program, the Moorpark College Theatre Arts Department will feature a free matinee for local high schools on Oct. 15. On Oct. 16, Ventura County Community College District students can attend the show for free, and on Oct. 19, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be present for the deaf and hard of hearing community. All performances will take place at the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark.
Originally mounted by New York’s Public Theatre in 2005, “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” invites the audience into a small courtroom in downtown purgatory where souls worry about where they might end up on judgment day. Unlike any courtroom drama, this play brings new life to the Bible audiences thought they knew. Guirgis (“Between Riverside & Crazy,” “The Get Down”) calls upon figures from history–like the fast-talking grand diva St. Monica, the feistier-than-ever Mother Theresa and even Judas’ mother, Henrietta–to testify about whether or not Judas is worthy of forgiveness. Regardless of how audience members feel coming in, they will leave “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” asking, “What does it mean to be worthy of God’s love?” and “Can any of us truly cast the first stone?”
“Stephen Adly Guirgis is my favorite contemporary playwright. He’s so raw, he’s so real, he’s so New York,” said Suzanne Fagan, theatre professor and the play’s director. “This play raises hard questions and every time I read Last Days I feel uncomfortable, which is exactly why I love it. There’s a certain point in the play every single time where I start asking myself, ‘Am I ready for judgment? Could I forgive someone who did this to me?’ This play is haunting. It makes me rethink a lot about life, like forgiveness, salvation and unconditional love.”
Tickets may be purchased online to save 20 percent, and group discounts are available. For more information and to buy tickets, visit moorparkcollege.edu/PAC or call the Box Office at (805) 378-1485. For additional background regarding the Moorpark College Theatre Arts department, contact Fagan at (310) 367-5136 or [email protected]
Performance Schedule:
Oct. 10, 8 p.m.
Oct. 11, 8 p.m.
Oct. 12, 8 p.m.
Oct. 13, 2 p.m.
Oct. 15, 10 a.m., a free production for local high schools.
Oct. 16, 10 a.m., a free production for VCCCD students.
Oct. 17, 8 p.m.
Oct. 18, 8 p.m.
Oct. 19, 8 p.m., this performance will have ASL interpreters.
Oct. 20, 2 p.m.
All performances will be at the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark.
Moorpark College
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