Guthrie & MN Consortium of Theological Schools to offer special post-play FAITH discussions


GUTHRIE PARTNERS WITH MINNESOTA CONSORTIUM
OF THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS TO OFFER POST-PLAY PANEL 
DISCUSSIONS REFLECTING ON FAITH HEALER

Post-play panel discussions titled "Reflections by Theologians and Physicians" to be offered following November 10 and 17 performances

(Minneapolis/St. Paul) The Guthrie today announced that it will partner with the Minnesota Consortium of Theological Schools to offer "Reflections by Theologians and Physicians," two panel discussions following the November 10 and 17 performances of Brian Friel's Faith Healer on the McGuire Proscenium Stage. The discussions are free and open to the public, and will begin at approximately 10:15 p.m. Single tickets for Faith Healer start at $29, and are now on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE, 612.225.6244 (Group Sales) and online at http://www.guthrietheater.org/.

These interfaith and interdisciplinary panel discussions mark a first-time partnership between the Guthrie Theater and the Minnesota Consortium of Theological Schools, which is comprised of Bethel Seminary, Luther Seminary, St. John's, The Saint Paul Seminary and United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Discussions will begin with remarks by each of the panelists on how the arts and themes found in Faith Healer intersect with theology and healing, and will then open to audience participation.

Tuesday, November 10, 7:30 p.m. (Discussion to follow performance)

  • Dr. Chris Armstrong, associate professor of Church History, Bethel Seminary
  • Dr. Frederick Gaiser, professor of Old Testament, Luther Seminary
  • Dr. Jon Hallberg, University of Minnesota Medical School
  • Dr. Adil Ozdemir, assistant professor, Theology Department, University of St. Thomas
  • Rev. Mary E. McNamara, president, United Theological Seminary, moderator

Tuesday, November 17, 7:30 p.m. (Discussion to follow performance)

  • Rabbi Barry D. Cytron, Macalester College
  • Fr. Anthony Ruff, O.S.B., St. John's School of Theology
  • Martha Postlethwaite, chaplain and assoc. professor, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
  • Dr. Gregory A. Plotnikoff, The Penny George Institute for Health and Healing
  • Dr. Richard Bliese, president, Luther Seminary, moderator

Heralded by Minnesota Monthly as one of the fall theater season's "can't-miss moments," Guthrie Director Joe Dowling - known throughout the United States and Ireland as a preeminent director and scholar of Friel's work - makes his American acting debut in the title role of Faith Healer, an intimate portrait of three adults told through a series of four emotionally stirring monologues. Frank (Dowling), Grace (Sally Wingert) and Teddy (Raye Birk) each describe their own version of the personal and professional bond they share, the astonishing yet unpredictable nature of Frank's ability, and how their lives were ultimately shaped forever by a single event.

Benjamin McGovern, the Guthrie's associate director of studio programming, serves as the associate director for Faith Healer, with an artistic team that includes Frank Hallinan Flood (Set Designer), Christine A. Richardson (Costume Design), Marcus Dilliard (Lighting Designer), Scott W. Edwards (Sound Designer), Lucinda Holshue (Voice and Language Consultant), Jo Holcomb (Dramaturgy), Martha Kulig (Stage Manager) and Chris A. Code (Assistant Stage Manager).

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