Play examines experiences of faith

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Actors Laura Shatkus and Niall McGinty rehearse with director Kevin Christopher Fox for “Accidental Rapture” at 16th Street Theater in Berwyn.

Updated: January 18, 2012 2:45PM

Heady subjects like faith, friendship and the end of the world — tempered by a healthy dose of comic relief — provide grist for Eric Pfeffinger’s “Accidental Rapture,” which starts the new season for 16th Street Theater in Berwyn. Previews began Jan. 12 and the regular run goes from Jan. 19-Feb. 19.

It’s a smart comedy, according to director Kevin Christopher Fox. Its conceit, he said, “allows for a dialogue a lot of us would like to have but just aren’t ready for or not in a situation where such conversation is possible between sincere, intelligent people of faith and sincere, intelligent people who are completely secular.”

The play, which premiered in Chicago in 2003, centers on Paul and Richard, who were good friends in grad school. But their lives subsequently took diverging paths, and now, 15 years later, they are seeking to reestablish a connection they once shared.

Richard, a born-again Christian, and his wife Kim believe in God, unlike Paul and his spouse Amy.

“Accidental Rapture” also provides a flashback to Richard’s former college girlfriend Lydia and introduces the secular couple’s inquisitive, 12-year-old daughter Greta.

Humans with flaws

“Pfeffinger does a great job of making the two couples very human and intelligent, even though both are flawed,” Fox said. “In addition, the play offers a chance for liberals to see conservatives as whole people with beautiful hearts to whom faith is important, something central in their lives.”

Fox added: “Everybody has a personal relationship with faith, either through good or bad experiences with organized religion or from their own sense of spirituality. I think the broad appeal of this play will offer audiences a lot to chew on.”

The cast of “Accidental Rapture” includes seasoned actors who have performed on various local stages:
Rob Fagin is Richard; Niall McGinty, as Paul; Erin Myers, as Kim; Laura Shatkus plays Amy; Stephanie Diaz, as Lydia; and Catherine Stegemann appears as Greta.

Expert cast

“If I were doing this show at Goodman Theatre with all the resources in the world, these are the people I would have,” Fox said.

Fox also lauded the
production’s strong associate artists, calling them theater “magicians,”
particularly scenic designer Kurt Sharp. “I use that word because 16th Street Theater is a small and funky space, and it takes a special designer who knows how to make that (environment) work.” Others providing support include Barry Bennett (sound), Emily Waecker (costumes), Mac Vaughey (lighting) and Sara E. Ross (props).

Raised in Asheville, N.C., Fox relocated in 1991 to Chicago, where he came to study acting. His most recent stage credits include Jesus in “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” for Gift at Victory Gardens and Sinjon Hotchkiss in “Getting Married” for Shaw Chicago. He also has acted at Writers’ Theatre, Steppenwolf, Northlight and Drury Lane Oakbrook, and directed for TimeLine and Gift, among other venues.