The Christendom Players will return to the stage next month with performances of a new play based on the life of Pope St. John Paul II: The Actor. Written by Christendom professor Dr. Daniel McInerny, the play explores thrilling and little-known events in the life of Karol Wojtyla, the man who would later become Pope St. John Paul II.
McInerny, who is the author of the acclaimed The Good Death of Kate Montclair and Beauty and Imitation: A Philosophical Reflection on the Arts, has been writing fiction, nonfiction, drama, and screenplays for years. He wrote the first draft of The Actor several years ago before making revisions to it earlier this year, intending to have it ready to be performed this fall. The play hones in on a particular part of Pope St. John Paul II’s life, exploring the period when he was discerning his acting vocation before becoming a priest.
Longtime Christendom Players director Elizabeth Foeckler returned to bring McInerny’s vision to life, following on the heels of directing another Pope St. John Paul II production last year: The Jeweler’s Shop.
“Both as the author and also as the faculty advisor of the Christendom Players, it was really important for me that Dr. McInerny be present throughout the process,” says Foeckler. “He helped to cast the show and also has come to give some critiques and watch rehearsals. It’s been neat to be involved in the process of bringing his vision to life, seeing different revisions of the play, and watching it take form. It’s also particularly exciting for the actors involved, as they will get to be involved in the premiere of a play.”
The cast, composed entirely of students, was chosen through a competitive round of auditions and callbacks at the beginning of the academic year. Unlike in previous years, the cast is made up almost entirely of new members of the Christendom Players, with just a couple of outliers that are seniors or juniors. Senior Patrick Ohotnicky will be playing the lead role of “Lolek,” while senior Aron Forthofer will act in the role of Br. Albert Chmielowski.
The play will be performed in Christendom’s Old Chapel Hall on November 8-10. Doors will open at 7:30 pm, with the show beginning at 8:00 pm.
Tickets will be available for purchase at the door, and reservations can be made by emailing theatre.director@christendom.edu.
The Christendom Players, a student-run club, perform a play each fall and a musical each spring. Although Christendom College does not offer a performing arts major, many students include acting as part of their extracurricular pursuits during college. The resulting showcase of talent – both musical and theatrical – draws in students across all disciplines, resulting in rich theatrical productions each academic year.
Watch the live stream on Sunday, November 10, at 8:00 pm EST here.