Terrence McNally Considers 'Corpus Christi,' New Staging, and Documentary

When Terrence McNally's play "Corpus Christi" was rehearsing at the Manhattan Theatre Club in 1998, death threats ensued. Depicting Jesus Christ as a contemporary gay man living in Texas was profoundly offensive to some religious groups. In the 14 years that have passed it has become one of McNally's most performed plays with little brouhaha surrounding it he says. Times have changed as evidenced by a new production of the play. A Los Angeles based troupe, 108 Productions, has re-envisioned the work, making it more inclusive and less exclusively gay. Instead of featuring only 12 attractive male youths, the cast now includes women and men of all ages and body types.

Indeed, the company, which was formed for the sole purpose of performing "Corpus Christ," has been touring across the globe for six years. It has also produced a documentary, "Corpus Christi: Playing with Redemption" that intersperses scenes from the play and responses it has sparked on both sides of the fence. No official release date has been set. The company is in the process of talking with interested networks and producers.

A screening will be shown on Saturday, June 10 at McNally's home and he remains convinced the film should be of equal interest to those who have not seen the play as well as who have. But he's especially enthusiastic about the new staging and the actors who "travel in a van and sleep on floors," he says. "No one is earning money for this. I'm not getting any money either. I've given them the rights to the play."

When you first heard about the reconceived new production what was your response?
Terrence McNally: It sounded wild to me. I was skeptical. But when I saw it, I was blown away. The recasting found the universality of Christ's teachings and has taken it out of the realm of being a gay play. The director's vision broadened the meaning of the play. I probably would not have let him do it if I had been asked, but now I see its great dimension and size.

Do you think this production makes it a less controversial play?
McNally: Maybe it's a little more accessible. Also, we've changed as a society.

Generally, do you feel there's less censorship?
McNally: Censorship is such a curious issue in America because we don't have national censorship. There can be six productions of "Corpus Christi" without a word of protest and then at the seventh production one person can start a lot of furor by stirring the pot, usually a person who has neither read nor seen the play, but has heard things. The Manhattan Theatre Club would not have done this play ever if they'd thought they'd have this controversy on their hands. We were two weeks into rehearsal and someone said, 'Have you seen the New York Post? Its columnist, Ward Morehouse III had written a story saying spies in the cast of "Corpus Christi" had told him it was a blasphemous play filled with nudity and simulated sex acts. There was neither. But within minutes the phone started ringing, first from the Catholic Anti-Defamation League. The story got wildly out of hand and by the next day we were getting bomb threats and death threats. I always thought it was a fake controversy because if you've seen the play, you realize there is really nothing offensive about it except to someone who is rabidly homophobic and believes homosexuality is reason enough to go to hell. But I don't think I was victimized by censorship. The play was done. Censorship means "Shut up." I was victimized by a rumor and sloppy reporting.

By virtue of emphasizing the universal elements and making it less of a gay play, do you think this current production is employing a sophisticated strategy to mitigate controversy?
McNally: I do, but I don't think they ever perceived it as a gay play. They perceived it as a spiritual odyssey and a way of re-inviting gay men and women to think and talk about their own spirituality. So many audience members have been moved by the play and said, "at last I've been able to reconnect to my feelings for God."

Has the play changed anyone's mind on the other side of the fence?
McNally: No, but I don't things happen without artists talking about the issues. Artists are a social force. I believe I played a role in the acceptance of same sex marriage. A play can be a thing of beauty and it can be entertaining. It certainly should be entertaining. It should not be, "Go see 'Corpus Christi' because it's good for you." It should be "Go spend 90 minutes being involved in this story and experience religion again in a new light."

Outtakes
-Won Tony Awards for "Ragtime" (Best Book of a Musical), "Master Class" (Best Play), "Love! Valour! Compassion!" (Best Play), "Kiss of the Spiderwoman" (Best Book of a Musical), and an Emmy for "American Playhouse: Andre's Mother" (Outstanding Writing in a Miniseries or a Special),
-Broadway productions include "Catch Me If You Can," "The Ritz," "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune," "The Full Monty," "The Rink," "The Ritz," and "Morning, Noon and Night," among others