The Christians

by Lucas Hnath

 February 22-March 2, 2019

 

Friday, April 27, 2018, at 7.30 pm
Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 7.30 pm
Sunday, April 29, 2018, at 2 pm
Friday, May 4, 2018 at 7.30 pm
Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 7.30 pm

Derry Opera House

A church is a place where people go to see something that is very difficult to see. A place where the invisible is—at least for a moment—made visible. The theater can be that too. ~ Lucas Hnath

Ten years ago, Pastor Paul’s church was a modest storefront. Now it houses thousands, with a coffee shop in the lobby and a baptismal font as big as a swimming pool. But Paul is about to preach a sermon that will shake the foundation of his congregation’s beliefs. Backed by a live choir, The Christians is both epic and unexpectedly intimate, an unflinching look at faith in America — and its power to unite or divide.

Meet the Company

Meet the company of The Christians:

Carey Cahoon (Pastor’s Wife) was seen earlier this season with tKAPOW in Mr. Burns, a post-electric play and in Living in Exile as Briseis, for which she won the 2017 NH Theatre Award for Best Actress. She won the 2017 NH Theatre Award for Best Actress as Queen Marguerite in Exit the King, and in 2014 for her roles in tKAPOW’s 3-person Macbeth. Other favorite roles include Sarah Goodwin in Time Stands Still, Cassandra in Agamemnon, Julie in Miss Julie, Hedda Tesman in Hedda Gabler, Jessie in ‘night, Mother, and the Pilot in Grounded. Carey has also performed and directed with Glass Dove Productions, Boston Playwright’s Platform, Stage One Productions, the Palace Theatre, and the Anselmian Abbey Players. She holds a BA in Classics from St. Anselm College, and trained at the Atlantic Acting School, Shakespeare & Company, and with SITI Company. careycahoon.com


Michael Domeny (Associate Pastor) a resident of Londonderry, tours nationally with 321 Improv Comedy. Mike offers endless thanks to the director for being willing to reconcile Mike’s travel schedule with the demands of this production. When Mike read The Christians for the first time, he was captivated. As a Christian himself, Mike resonates heavily with the questions and issues posed by this work. The line between personal convictions and scripted dialogue has become blurred in a way that Mike has not experienced with any other script. The Christians will remain among Mike’s favorite projects. Locally, Mike is an acting and improv coach at the Majestic Theatre, a collaborator with his talented wife Kelsey, a playmate to his daughter Addy, and a follower of Jesus–the Creator of all things good, and Healer of all things broken.   


Peter Josephson (Elder) is in his eighth season as a member of the theatre KAPOW company. An accomplished actor and director, he has won two New Hampshire Theatre Awards for his roles in Penelope and Exit the King (both with tKAPOW).  He has performed with the New Hampshire Theatre Project, the Winnipesaukee Playhouse, and the Seven Stages Shakespeare Company, and has appeared in numerous productions with theatreKapow, including AgamemnonA Dream PlayMacbethBuried ChildStupid F#cking Bird, and Mr. Burns. He trains regularly with the International Michael Chekhov Association and theatreKapow, and teaches acting workshops on the Seacoast and in the Manchester area.


Anja Parish (Congregant) is honored to be returning to the theatre KAPOW stage, and thanks Matt and the rest of the cast for giving her this opportunity to share in this production. Anja was last seen with theatre KAPOW as Shelley in Buried Child. Past favorite roles also include LCDR Jo Galloway in Milford Area Player’s A Few Good Men, Josephine in Stagecoach Production’s Big Fish, the Extraordinary Girl in the ActorSinger’s Fringe Production of American Idiot, and Elvira in Majestic’s Blithe Spirit. Anja has been selected as a finalist for multiple NHTA awards, and was awarded Excellence in Acting Movement at the 2015 NHCTA Festival. Outside of theater Anja is a full-time graduate student and part-time everything else, and she thanks her friends and family for their support while she juggles school, work, and rehearsals. Most of all, she thanks her incredibly patient boyfriend Elliot for being a wonderful and loving partner, and for always laughing at her terrible jokes.


Bill Westenberg (Pastor) is new to theatre KAPOW. He has worked at many different theaters across the country and is currently residing in Dunbarton, NH with his beautiful wife and two wonderful sons. He is delighted to be working with a company that has such a strong artistic vision and mission.


Matt Cahoon (Director) is a tKAPOW co-founder and has directed many productions for the company including: Agamemnon, A Dream Play, Buried Child, Time Stands Still and the February 2014 production of Penelope which won three NH Theatre Awards including Best Director. Matt directed Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Israel Potter and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse. He currently serves on the boards of the Arts Presenters of Northern New England and the Greater Derry Arts Council. Matt’s theatre training includes work with Double Edge Theatre Company, SITI Company, the New England Center for Circus Arts, and Range of Motion Arts. In 2013, Matt attended the International Symposium for Directors at LaMaMa Umbria in Spoleto, Italy. As his “day job” Matt serves as the Director of Cultural Programming at Pinkerton Academy. In 2011, Matt was named to the New Hampshire Union Leader’s “40 Under Forty” program.  

Tayva Young (Lighting Designer) has been helping to bring stories to life thru light for the last 25 years, both in live Theatre and Architectural lighting for museums. She is thrilled to again be able to participate in the KAPOW’s season, Faith & Story. Every season with KAPOW brings more challenges and adventures and this season is no exception. She could not have asked for a more talented, supportive and imaginative family to work with. She thanks her husband, Steve, her mom, Jo and her two children, Nolan and Norah for all their help and support as they make it possible for her to pursue her love for the theatre.

Audience Reaction

“To say I was moved would put it mildly. tKAPOW is known for presenting highly committed performances but The Christians is next level. With a very strong script and beautifully gifted actors, this production should not be missed.”

“I don’t know how tKAPOW does it–puts on an impressive number plays and performances while maintaining high quality over years…I for one, and sure from talking with some other audience members, am among many so very engaged by and appreciative of your work!”

“It was a great show and thought provoking…still pondering the show this morning…”

“Wow! theatre KAPOW produces another beautifully written, superbly performed, intimate moment of reflection pitting intellect against heart. Good thing I like to think”

“A very strong cast doing a brave, gripping, and well-directed show. The Christians is a compelling play, and I will definitely recommend it to friends. Very well done!”

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