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:: ''Sandbox for the article on '''[[Corpus Christi (play)]]'''''
{{Infobox play
| name       = Corpus Christi
| image      = 
| image_size = 
| caption    = 
| writer     = [[Terrence McNally]]
| characters = 
| setting    = [[Texas]]
| premiere   = {{Start date|1998|10|13|df=yes}}
| place      = [[Manhattan Theatre Club]], [[New York City|New York]]
| orig_lang  = English
| genre      = [[Passion play]]
| web        = 
}}
'''''Corpus Christi''''' is a [[passion play]] by [[Terrence McNally]] that dramatizes the story of [[Jesus]] and the [[Twelve Apostles|Apostles]].<ref name=mc>McNally (1998).</ref> It depicts them as [[gay]] men living in modern-day [[Texas]]. The Jesus character is renamed "Joshua" while the Apostles retain their biblical names.<ref name=b116>Berube (2002, 116).</ref> The play utilizes modern devices (for example, the use of [[television]]) with anachronisms (such as [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] occupation). In this version, [[Judas Iscariot|Judas]] betrays Joshua because of [[sexual jealousy]], while Joshua is condemned to death for having presided over the marriage of two of his disciples.<ref name=b116/> The play shows "the self-righteous people who are quick to judge others to be the real [[Blasphemy|blasphemers]] against religion and life, and the marginalized and seemingly unorthodox to be the genuinely blessed."<ref>Frontain (2003, 232).</ref>

The play received both critical acclaim for its exploration of gay themes in [[Christianity]] and condemnation for what some religious people viewed as blasphemy. The playwright received death threats when it was played in the [[United States]].<ref>Taylor and Lau (2008) and AFP (2008).</ref> It was directed in [[New York City]] by [[Joe Mantello]], opening on the 13 October [[1998 in literature#New drama|1998]] at the [[Manhattan Theatre Club]].<ref name=mc/> It received its British premiere in [[2000]], produced by Theatre 28 and directed by [[Stephen Henry]]. This production received a [[fatwa]], issued by the Islamist militant [[Omar Bakri Muhammad]].<ref>Eyre and Wright (2000, 396) and Manji (2005).</ref>  

==Reception==

Without having seen the play, religious groups (such as the [[Catholic League]]) condemned it for the connection it made between contemporary gay lives and the life of Jesus.<ref>Fisher (2008, 25).</ref>

When it was produced as part of the [[Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras]], [[Anglican]] bishop [[Robert Forsyth]] considered the play to be offensive and historically incorrect.
<ref name="Robert Forsyth"> [http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/gay-jesus-play-blasted-by-bishop/2008/01/19/1200620272704.html Gay Jesus play blasted by bishop]</ref>

In March 2010, a student workshop performance of the play was canceled at [[Tarleton State University]] in [[Stephenville, Texas]]. The university had received some complaints about the play's scheduled performance, but its president, F. Dominic Dottavio, citing freedom of speech, declared that the play would be performed.<ref>[http://www.tarleton.edu/documents/President%20Dottavio%20letter.pdf Letter] by F. Dominic Dottavio posted on Tarleton State website</ref> 

However, after Texas's Lieutenant Governor [[David Dewhurst]] weighed in saying, "No one should have the right to use government funds or institutions to portray acts that are morally reprehensible to the vast majority of Americans,"  the performance was cancelled citing safety concerns. It was to have been a single performance for a student directing class.<ref>[http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/highereducation/entries/2010/03/27/plays_cancellation_right_thing.html Play’s cancellation ‘right thing to do,’ Dewhurst says] Ralph K.M. Haurwitz, Austin <i>American-Statesman,</i> March 27, 2010</ref><ref> [http://www.texastribune.org/stories/2010/mar/29/gay-jesus-place/ The Gay-Jesus Place] Reeve Hamilton ''The Texas Tribune'', March 29, 2010]</ref>

==See also==
* [[Mystery play]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Sources==

* Abblebome, Peter. 1998. "Theater Club Changes Stance: Play To Go On Despite Threats." ''New York Times'' 30 May: 5D.

* Berube, Maurice R. 2002. "A Postmodern Jesus." ''Beyond Modernism and Postmodernism: Essays on the Politics of Culture.'' Westport, CT: Greenwood. 113-118. {{ISBN|0897898052}}.

* Blankenship, Mark. 2008 "[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/theater/19blan.html?_r=1&scp=14&sq=Corpus%20christi&st=cse Moments in History, Converging Anew."] ''New York Times'' 15 Oct. Retrieved 7 April 2010.

* Eads, Martha Greene. 2005. "Conversion Tactics in Terrence McNally's and Paul Rudnick's Gay Gospels." ''Modern Drama'' 48.1 (Spring): 163-185.

* [[Richard Eyre|Eyre, Richard]] and Nicholas Wright. 2000. ''Changing Stages: A View of British Theatre in the Twentieth Century''. London: Bloomsbury. {{ISBN|0747547890}}.

* Fisher, James. 2008. "From Tolerance to Liberation: Gay Drama in the Mainstream from ''Torch Song Trilogy'' and ''The Normal Heart'' to ''Angels in America'', ''Love! Valour! Compassion!'' and ''Take Me Out''." In ''"We Will Be Citizens": New Essays on Gay and Lesbian Theatre.'' Ed. James Fisher. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. 7-31. {{ISBN|078643418X}}.

* Frontain, Raymond-Jean. 2003. "'All Men are Divine': Religious Mystery and Homosexual Identity in Terrance McNally's ''Corpus Christi.''" In ''Reclaiming the Sacred: the Bible in Gay and Lesbian Literature.'' Ed. Raymond-Jean Frontain. 2nd ed. Binghampton, NY: Harworth. 231-258. {{ISBN|1560233559}}.

* Harris, Rachel Lee. 2010. "[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/29/theater/29arts-CORPUSCHRIST_BRF.html?scp=2&sq=Corpus%20christi&st=cse 'Corpus Christi' Canceled in Texas.]" ''New York Times'' 28 Mar. Retrieved 7 April 2010.

* Hoyt, Clark. 2008. "[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/opinion/09pubed.html?pagewanted=1 The Perilous Intersection of Art and Religion.]" ''New York Times'' 9 Nov. Retrieved 7 April 2010.

* Kiehl, Stephen. 2001. "Lawmakers Threaten FAU Over Gay Christ Play." ''Palm Beach Post'' 30 Mar.: 1A.

* Manji, Irshad. 2005. "[http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/09/opinion/09manji.html Why Tolerate the Hate?]" ''New York Times'' 9 Aug. Retrieved 7 April 2010.

* [[Terrence McNally|McNally, Terrence]]. 1999. ''Corpus Christi''. New York: Grove. {{ISBN|0802136354}}.

* Owen, Charis. 1999. "[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/jesus-is-gay-play-at-fringe-1106849.html 'Jesus is Gay' Play at Fringe.]" ''The Independent'' 17 July. Retrieved 9 April 2010.

* Sterngold, James. 1998. "[http://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/20/arts/censorship-age-anything-goes-for-artistic-freedom-it-s-not-worst-times.html?pagewanted=all Censorship in the Age of Anything Goes; For Artistic Freedom, It's Not the Worst of Times.]" ''New York Times'' 20 Sept. Retrieved 7 April 2010.

* Taylor, Andrew, and Kristie Lau. 2008. "[http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/gay-jesus-play-blasted-by-bishop/2008/01/19/1200620272704.html Gay Jesus Play Blasted by Bishop]." ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' 20 Jan. Retrieved 9 April 2010.

* Zinoman, Jason. 2008. "[http://theater.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/theater/reviews/22corp.html?scp=5&sq=Corpus%20christi&st=cse A Modern, Gay You-Know-Who Superstar.]" ''New York Times'' 22 Oct. Retrieved 7 April 2010.

==External links==
* [http://www.curtainup.com/corpus.html A review of the 1998 New York production from CurtainUp.com]