About Mark's Gospel
MARK'S GOSPEL EXTENDS IN CHICAGO
Through June 28, 2009
Mark’s Gospel, the hit Chicago premiere production by the Fellowship for the Performing Arts at The Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue, will return to the theater for an encore performance from June 5 through 28, 2009. The critically acclaimed production starring Max McLean was initially a strictly limited engagement through May 17.
Fresh from his tour de force performance in The Screwtape Letters as Screwtape, Max McLean brings an exuberant theatricality and persuasive interpretation to a more heavenly venture - the story of Jesus. Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune raved that Mark’s Gospel is “Compelling…there’s nothing like seeing the entire shebang in one sitting. McLean is formidably articulate…[but] he refuses to upstage the narrative…letting the words and vivid biblical characters say what they have to say.” And Hedy Weiss of the Chicago Sun-Times said “I’ve always found a good deal of the Bible baffling. Only after seeing Mark’s Gospel did I realize what had been missing. It comes down to performance. With wit and humor Max McLean brings a dramatically rooted clarity to what is a profoundly mysterious odyssey.”
Mark’s Gospel is the believed to be the first eye witness story of Jesus. “More than any other Gospel, Mark lends itself to theatre,” says Jeffrey Fiske, who also directed The Screwtape Letters. It is written as if a reporter is sending first hand reports of Jesus’ remarkable journey from rural obscurity to urban sensation to political assassination. Max McLean humanizes what are often seen by secular society as distant archetypes. He plays each character as a real human being, often rendered comical in gape-mouthed incredulity by the miracles of a man who warns them ‘not to tell anyone.’ That, of course, is the very thing they do.”
"Jesus is certainly a controversial figure." Max McLean says. "Yet he has been tamed by over familiarity. Bringing a theatrical lens to the original source for Christianity helps restores Jesus back to size. It is meant to surprise and delight. And I need to redeem myself for doing Screwtape these past few years.”
Max McLean is not new to presenting the Bible on stage. Not only has he made an audio recording of the Bible that was twice nominated for Best Inspirational Audio, but he has previously toured Chicago with Genesis following an Off – Broadway opening at the Lamb’s Theatre. Anita Gates of the New York Times described it as “Bible stories told with laughter and affection. Max McLean has complete command.”
Mark's Gospel s directed by Jeffrey Fiske who also directed The Screwtape Letters. Also from the Screwtape design team are costumes by Michael Bevins and sound design by Bart Fasbender. Scenic design is by Nick Rastenis and lighting by Jesse Klug. Both are local Chicago designers. Projection design is by Sage Marie Carter from New York. For more information, visit www.MarkOnStage.com.
The performance schedule for Mark’s Gospel is Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. There is a performance on Thursday, June 18 at 8 p.m. and there is no show on June 21 at 3 p.m. Tickets range in price from $29.00 - $48.50. Tickets are $20 for students with proof of a valid ID at the box office at the time of purchase. Tickets are available by calling The Mercury Theater Box Office at 773.325.1700, TicketMaster at 312.902.1500, or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Discounted tickets for groups are also available.
