On the one-year anniversary of the Feb. 14, 2018, school shooting in Parkland, Fla., seven universities across the country, including Point Park University in Pittsburgh, will host a staged reading of the award-winning Off-Broadway play, “Church & State.”
The play tells the story of a gun-loving senator running for reelection, who takes a hard look at his position on the Second Amendment following a shooting at his children’s school. Written by Jason Odell Williams, it explores the ways in which religion, guns and social media influence the political system of the United States.
The reading is part of a partnership between NewYorkRep, a New York City group whose mission is to produce musicals and plays that compel social change, and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, which is providing speakers to lead discussions following each performance.
“Having helped produce this important play in New York and then watch continued gun massacres occur, it seemed important to take it off the shelf and carry the message across the country,” NewYorkRep Executive Director Gayle Waxenberg said.
“ ‘Church & State’ starts a much needed dialogue about gun violence prevention,” said Kyleanne Hunter, programs vice president at the Brady Center. “Using humor we can dive into a tough topic and have meaningful conversations.”
Tickets are complimentary and will be available prior to the reading, which will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 at Point Park’s Lawrence Hall Ballroom at 201 Wood St. in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Patrick at 724-850-2862, pvarine@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MurrysvilleStar.
