Corpus Christi: A Play

by Terrence McNally

Book Overview

The New Yorker has called Terrence McNally one of our most original and audacious dramatists and one of our funniest. He is the author of such critically acclaimed plays as Love Valour Compassion , Master Class, The Lisbon Traviata, and Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune. In Corpus Christi, McNally gives us his own unique view of the story of Christ, and in doing so provides us with one of the most vivid and moving passion plays written. McNally's...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802136354
• ISBN13: 9780802136350
• Release Date: March 1999
• Publisher: Grove Press
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

The play of a true Christian

Though unconventional and challenging, this play is the work of a true Christan: that is, of a person who's understood the meaning of Jesus Christ teaching of Love and Charity. Christ came for all of us, Christ is Love, and all Love is blessed in Him . Christ-and God- doesn't hate anyone, not even racist anti-gay bigots, for whoie souls He also prays-together with the blessed Matthew Shephard.

Christians will hate this because they're all Bible Bangers

This play is a wonderful piece of literature. There is nothing wrong with it-- at all. The one thing people have to learn, or get through their heads, is that this is ONLY A PLAY! It's not real. It's a story. Just like the movies that you support or rave about. As for other things certain reviewers made about this: Jesus was not sinless. He was created in the image and likeness of man, so therefore, he wouldn't be sinless. And, as for the possibility of Jesus' sexual orientation, him being gay is probable. Many passages in the Gospels hint at this. Also, perhaps you religious zealots and homophobes have heard about the possibility of a marriage between Jesus and Mary Magdalen? Well, the first thing you should've caught was that she was the first one to visit his tomb-- a sign that they were married. But back to the play. In short, those of you who point to this book as being blasphemous should just go wake up. It's a book, you morons. Read it because it has nothing to do with the real world. So go bang your Bibles some more, because I'm going to read this once more.

Where to begin?

I really do not know where to begin. Terrence McNally has been my favorite playwright for years, and I have read every title I could get my hands on, including the obscure ones (Such as "By The Sea..." and "Tommy Flowers"). He deals with sensitive topics with sheer honesty and compassion. He doesn't just write about characters, he portrays humanity on paper, and he does an amazing job. My opinion of Corpus Christi is summed up best with a simple "Wow." I am in awe. Spellbound by McNally's ability to convey the life of Christ in such a touching manner. I'm well aware of all the controversy this stirred upon it's MTC premiere, and have been fortunate enough to view it at a university in my area, which also stirred a little mud of it's own. But what can you expect? I doubt McNally would have published such an artistic play unknowing that it would cause everything it did. But back to reviewing the play: Never before has Christ been depicted in such a way on stage, and I don't believe that the playwright is saying "Christ WAS gay," simply making the notion, and in what better way to do so? When gay culture is at it's peak, TODAY, placing Christ and his followers in society today yet never losing it's honesty. Corpus Christi remains my favorite McNally drama to date, because of it's "In-Your-Face" way of dealing with a subject often swept under the table. I applaud you!

Simply and amazing thought provoking play

I am a big (ok, huge) fan of Chad Allen's and he just finished a run of Corpus Christi in Los Angeles. I live on the East Coast so couldn't make the performance, so to see what I missed I decided to purchase a copy of the script. I was very impressed at the way the script handled the controversial subject. The notion of a Christ-like character who happens to be gay is shocking to some sacrilegious to others to me it was simply the next step in bringing Christ to life. Before you condemn the play, or even criticize it try reading it with an open mind.

Creative and SINcere

I had read about this play in TIME mag. about two years ago, and when I read I expected something frustrating and that is what I got. I am so tempted to talk about my faith in comparison to the play and since I am an avid Christian I find it continually difficult to not write about, but instead I am going to tackle it from a theatre student's point of view. It is terribly original. After reading most of the contemporary playwrights I would have to say that McNally's plays are the best, because of his subtley abrasive tone, for one reason. I was constantly questioning whether or not I should consider this play sacreligous and after much deliberation I decided that only the reader/viewer can decide that for themselves. Is McNally mocking Christ's life? I don't know. Is he accurately pouring his emotions out onto the paper? Definetly. In my opinion this play is one of the best "philosophy meets religion" works out there which is testament to McNally's genius. In his preface he contrasts Christ's life to Matthew Shepard, which I thought was really cool. Then he also says "Jesus Christ died again when Matthew Shepard did"...so true. I think that this play really asks the question "what would we do today?" Would we still persecute Him? Would we still laugh and jeer and call him "King of the queers"? Anyway I'm rambling...read the play and judge McNally with an open mind.