Chris T
Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
In the case of Chris T, it’s not for lack of trying. Kelley’s work seems practically drunk on ideas, incorporating nearly every thought anyone has ever had about racism in America, how the powerful victimize the powerless, and how the Christ story can be reconfigured to reflect those issues. But these thoughts are tossed off aimlessly rather than organized, and the evening ends up sounding like the reading of a first draft.
Because Chris T follows the titular homeless man from his unexplained arrival through his persecution, crucifixion, and resurrection, it’s actually more an Advent or Passion play than a celebration of the Nativity. But the piece borrows the traditional Nativity setting of winter–in this case a nuclear winter triggered when the “Prezo-dent” of the United States announces that Jesus Christ never existed.
Kelley is a graduate of Steppenwolf’s New Plays Lab, an experience that should have taught her when a manuscript needs another few trips through the computer. This one certainly does, and Smith is experienced enough to know that even if Kelley is not. Maybe MPAACT was so desperate for “a Christmas show” that it put this one up prematurely.
