Posted on 03/22/2013 6:40:04 PM PDT by markomalley
What if Adam hadnt been joined in the Garden of Eden by Eve? What if, instead, his soulmate was named Steve? And what if they were joined in paradise, not by Cain and Abel, but by Jane and Mabel?
Thats the premise behind the play The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, a gay-positive comedy by Paul Rudnick that dissects and analyzes history, relationships and gay politics. Along the way, Rudnick also skewers a few stereotypes, while exploring deep questions of family and faith.
The play, which will be presented by the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Public Charter School this weekend at the Academy of Music in Northampton, has stirred controversy because of its alternative view of the biblical Book of Genesis. Scott Goldman, head of PVPA, received emailed petitions and phone calls protesting the schools planned performance.
Productions in other parts of the country have been picketed by conservative religious groups who object to the plays treatment of religion and view of homosexuality.
Its pretty provocative, said the plays director, Chris Rohman. Some people may consider it blasphemous, and its version of biblical narratives is certainly non-traditional.
Long history
The Most Fabulous Story covers a 2,000-year time-span, breaks a number of theatrical conventions and, in PVPAs production, makes inventive use of the Academy of Musics stage and auditorium. Supporting characters include a drag-queen Pharaoh, a disabled lesbian cable-TV rabbi and the productions Stage Manager who, as usual in the theater, plays God.
Act One recounts the major episodes of the Old Testament: Theres the Garden of Eden, the ark, a visit with a highly rambunctious Pharaoh.
This garden is fabulous!, Adam declares as he gets his first look at the Garden of Eden. He rushes about, in awe of the trees, the lakes, the blue skies.
But, as delighted as he is with his surroundings, Adam is perplexed: Where am I?, he asks no one in particular. Who am I?, he wonders. And for that matter, Who am I talking to? And, by the way, he asks, Am I gay? Yes, he decides, and I am alone.
But, not for long. Soon, he is joined by Steve.
Its also during the first act that Jane and Mabel, a lesbian couple, are introduced to Adam and Steve, and, in turn, introduce the men to Gods presence and love.
God is the creator of cosmos and the source of all spiritual and moral nourishment, Mabel tells her new friends.
Together, the two couples decide to start civilization, but procreation proves to be a challenge.
Act Two fast-forwards to modern-day New York City: Steve is HIV positive. Its Christmas Eve, and Jane is nine months pregnant. The two women invite Adam and Steve to join them at their wedding ceremony, which is interrupted when Jane gives birth. Steve tells Adam that hell probably not survive much longer. Bound by their long life together, and the miracle of birth theyve just witnessed, the two men comfort each other, even though they know their remaining time together will be short.
Laughing in the dark
The Most Fabulous Story debuted in The Berkshires in 1998 and had a run in New York City. In a New York Times review, Ben Brantley called the play both a testament to the virtues of laughing in the dark and a celebration of the kind of theater that allows people to do so.
Rohman, a theater consultant and adjunct faculty member at PVPA, says its an important play to produce.
I consider it very positive and affirming ... not just because its gay-affirming but because it wrestles, seriously as well as humorously and satirically, with deep issues of faith, family and belonging. After all, he adds, the central characters journeys are defined by their search for the meaning of faith and the presence of God.
Notwithstanding the comedic spin, he said, its really quite a sympathetic view of religion.
Sigh...
Has anybody seen where the USA went? Apparently she has gone away and left some bizarre doppelganger behind in her place.
Kids shown = pathetic
“its version of biblical narratives is certainly non-traditional.
What the hell kind of Newspeak is this?! It’s not ‘non-traditional’. It’s FALSE!
This is like writing a textbook on history, with Hitler winning WWII, and then saying its perspective was ‘non-traditional’
This makes ZERO factual sense. ZERO biological sense. ZERO Biblican sense. And ZERO common sense.
At least the HIV part is accurate.
I hope nobody cried after being rejected from this joke of a school. Choose your charter school carefully. Some are just as crazy as public schools.
Let’s see them dare lampoon mooo-hamed and his islamic goat-followers next. What, that might hurt the muslim’s feelings?
Need I say he missed by a country mile?
Barefoot. Nice touch. Keeps this audience from puking on their shoes.
The left just can’t get enough of the mocking Christians deal...it’s really lame. We always hear how these “artists” are taking a courageous stand. If their so courageous and edgy why not mock the koran????
I’m beginning to think that the Elizabethan Puritans were on to something when they condemned the theater as the Devil’s workshop.
It is a Public School - Public Charter School.
Taxpayer funded - around $4 Million per year
When everything you identify as you runs counter to the design of life itself, then anything, no matter how ridiculous or unreal, is acceptable. And being acceptable isn’t enough psychologically ... it must be “celebrated” and “fabulous” to compensate for the dissonance and unreality.
If Eve had been a Steve, none of us would be here. This should be in the dictionary next to the word, “sophomoric.”
So if it was Adam and Steve were Cain and Abell butt born and conceived in Steves rectum? Must have been a real Crappy birth.
What kind of stupid shyt is this and what kind of idiot would write it play in it , and watch it?
Whoops. No surprises then.
I mean, they’re usually more independent in their actions, but they obviously do the same crap.
These people are not mocking the bible they are fulfilling it..
These actions are foretold to to be present... and even much worse than that..
As it gets worse and worse.. rejoicing should be evident by some..
AT some point all heaven is going to break lose.. for some..
Extreme “social justice” for others..
That is... IF... you love the bibles rendition of things..
IF Not... what happens.... HAPPENS.. (same deal)..
It's done.
>> Act Two fast-forwards to modern-day New York City: Steve is HIV positive.
Rent. And it sucked.
The homosexuals cannot face God. They have no choice other than to twist reality to justify their behaviour. God shall not be mocked.
>> What if Adam hadnt been joined in the Garden of Eden by Eve? What if, instead, his soulmate was named Steve? <<
Uh... there would be no human race? Duh?!
“Must have been a real Crappy birth.”
Today these offspring inhabit the White Hut...
Ya think -LOL!!!!
Even today it presents the same challenge for the delusional perverts.
Nature does have a sense of humor -the homosexual comedians are really being laughed at here NOT laughed with...
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