"Corpus Christi," a controversial play that portrays Jesus as a gay man living in 1950s Corpus Christi, is coming to Orange County.
The show, written by Terrence McNally, will be performed at Church of the Foothills on Saturday. It first opened at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 1998 to bomb threats and protests, according to 108 Productions.
The decision to bring "Corpus Christi" to Orange County was an easy one, church Vice President Josh Carr told the Orange County Register.
"This is just another opportunity to introduce who we are as a Christian church," Carr said. "If it takes something controversial to do that, we're willing to do it to get the attention so then we can talk to people."
Producer and actor James Brandon told the Register the play is all about love.
"If people only hear the word 'gay' and 'Jesus' put together without knowing anything else about it, I can see why that is controversial," Brandon told the newspaper. "But if you're to see the play, you'll see how respectfully the playwright deals with this issue."
"We're not at all saying this is what we think Jesus was, or this is what we believe. We're just asking the question, 'Why not?'" Brandon said.
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The show starts at 7 p.m. The box office can be reached at 714-731-8320. There's a $20.00 suggested donation.
