SYRACUSE — Christ’s resurrection from the dead following his sacrificial crucifixion represents the promise of life everlasting for all believers. Christians celebrate that promise every Easter Sunday.
A new local theatrical troupe, Thanasis Theatre, will celebrate Easter with the play “Jesus, Son of Man,” an ambitious adaptation of a 1928 work by the Lebanese-American poet Kahlil Gibran. The poet had penned a series of monologues delivered by several of Jesus’s contemporaries – canonized Biblical personages as well as fictional characters who may have crossed Christ’s path, for better or worse.
The adaptation was written by Thanasis founder Jordan Westfall, who also drew inspiration from Colm Tóibín’s 2012 novel “The Testament of Mary” which became a one-woman show starring Fiona Shaw on Broadway in 2013.
“I’m centering the show on Mother Mary, who is still grieving the loss of her son,” said Westfall, who is directing the play. “In her grief, she is able to divinely connect with others across the Mediterranean world, experiencing vivid visions of the past, present and future in order to properly heal.”
The world premiere of Westfall’s adaptation of “Jesus, Son of Man” will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at the Everson Museum of Art Auditorium, 401 Harrison St., in downtown Syracuse. Performances will continue at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 15 and 16, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 17. The show closes the following weekend, with performances slated at 7:30 p.m. April 21, 22 and 23 and at 3 p.m. April 24. Visit thanasistheatre.com to purchase tickets.
“Jesus, Son of Man” stars award-winning actress Binaifer Dabu as Mary. A dozen other players perform multiple roles, including Anne-Margaret Childress as Anna, the mother of Mary, and Cyborea, the mother of Judas. Bianca Hallett portrays Mary Magdalene, Basil Allen plays Pontius Pilate and Lauren Puente portrays Salome.
The cast also features Jeremiah Thompson, Frank Procopio, Joshua Michael King, Ahmad Maher, Donovan Stanfield, Michaela Oney, Samantha Silver and Bethani Rahrle-White.
The play’s longest piece is Susannah of Nazareth, played by Bethani Rahrle-White, who late in Act 2 shares much of Mary’s life and trauma, including the only account in the show of the dreaded crucifixion.
“I am making motherhood and the feminine divine the central theme of the show,” Westfall said.
Westfall is already planning a follow-up for next year.
“Jesus, Son of Man” is just part one of an epic two-part venture. Westfall hopes to finish it with a production of “The Testament of Mary” starring Dabu next Mother’s Day, in 2023.
