See it if you like plays that deal with big ideas.
Don't see it if you are looking for strong plot and action.
See it if you are interested in a philosophical challenge.
Don't see it if you want something fluffy and light.
See it if Once it gets going (about 40 minutes in) dramatic tension soars with no let-up. The production, the ideas & the debate are all superb.
Don't see it if you don't want to feel you're in church and don't want to experience terrific acting and effective drama.
See it if You want to confirm/disclaim if the emotional distance of religious doctrine impacts you personally or as a group. Well acted. Good dialogue
Don't see it if This topic is of no interest to you. Although you might still enjoy hearing the arguments made.
See it if you're interested in considering different points of view, you appreciate thoughtful pieces, you are fascinated by MegaChurches.
Don't see it if you're uncomfortable with questions about religion.
See it if you are religious.
Don't see it if don;t want to be preached to.
See it if want philosophy 101 cliffnotes, to see Ms. Powell's and Ms. Donahoe's stellar wordless reacting, are conflicted or evolving on religion
Don't see it if think screaming into highly amped microphones a terrible idea, are annoyed by too-convenient plot developments, already took philosophy 101
See it if you have time
Don't see it if you don't like plots that don't make sense.
"Hnath treats all sides of the theological debate with equal respect and the arguments are compelling but they're delivered as mini-sermons, spoken through hand-held mics....Even though the performances, under the quiet direction of Les Waters, are impeccable, I couldn't help feeling as though I were sitting in a theology class instead of a theater. "
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"When a big, modern, evangelical church with a charismatic preacher has a crisis -- at least in a play -- it is hard not to expect another sex or embezzlement scandal. This is far from the case, fortunately, in 'The Christians,' Lucas Hnath's compact and thoughtfully provocative drama."
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"Despite a fine production, directed by Les Waters, with solid acting all around, 'The Christians' never evolves into a compelling human drama. It remains, for better or worse, a humane, fair-minded debate of clashing religious beliefs."
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"A play about faith and religion in a mega-church that treats its potentially fraught subject with respect...a thoughtful and artfully acted 90-minute drama...What I found most interesting about 'The Christians' is the way it compels Paul - and so, us - to think about not only what he believes, but also why he believes it."
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"'The Christians' asks some pretty hard (and fair) questions about what we believe and why we believe it - and how much are we willing to sacrifice for our faith. The reality he captures is evidence of Hnath's intimate understanding of the controversies of church life and of the personal struggles involved in a deeper walk of faith...While I thoroughly enjoyed the play, I had to wonder whether many of its subtle truths would be lost on those in the audience who haven't experienced church like this. "
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"In Les Waters’ presentational staging, which has the actors using hand-held microphones throughout, it falls to lighting designer Ben Stanton to differentiate between the open and closed-door meetings, and he does a superlative job in helping theatergoers understand when the action has shifted. Equally impressive are the performances."
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"I didn’t know much about this before seeing it, and I can’t say I loved it. But it had powerful moments...This all builds to the pastor’s emotional breakdown at the play’s conclusion. The ideas explored by playwright Hnath were interesting enough but I wasn’t fully captivated."
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"I was still completely engaged and enthralled throughout the evening. There were so many questions and ideas being tossed around and I especially loved that there were no real answers given...All I can say is I found so much to think about, struggle with, and enjoy in this play. It's such a treat to feel invigorated by smart, original writing."
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