Main Street Players present topical drama

Featured By Megan Jacobo, Reporter Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Gun violence, religion and politics are the timely themes of “Church & State,” a drama that will be performed at the Main Street Playhouse in February.
The Main Street Players’ first play of the season was written by Jason Odell Williams and is directed by Robert Coppel.
A quartet of actors will portray very well-written and memorable characters whose sometimes hilarious dialog helps relieve the tension within the plot.
The one act play begins when a Republican U.S. senator from North Carolina is facing reelection.
After a shooting massacre at his children’s school, the senator questions his faith and position on gun control.
He is interviewed after the killings by a blogger who publishes the politician’s comments on “the Twitter,” which draws criticism on social media.
The senator’s politically ambitious wife and his campaign manager have to deal with the chaos as the candidate copes with his guilty conscience.

How will the public and voters react on Election Day, which is just three days away?
In his author’s note, Williams wrote that when he created the play four years ago, he dreamed that its themes would become obsolete.
“… I hope this play raises questions, sparks debate, makes people laugh and cry, and laugh while crying,” Williams said then. “But most of all I hope this play speaks to your heart.”
On Feb. 8, Manuel Oliver will talk with the audience after the show.
Oliver is an artist and the father of Joaquin Oliver, a 17-year-old student at
Marjory Stoneman
Douglas High School in Parkland who was among the 17 children and staffers murdered during a mass shooting on Feb. 14, 2018.
Anthony Linzalone portrays U.S. Sen. Charles Whitmore.
Christy Antonio plays the senator’s wife, Sara Whitmore and Melissa Bibliowicz appears as Alex Klein, the campaign manager.
David Brzostowicki is cast in multiple roles, as a stage manager, security guard and television news anchor.
“Church & State” opens Feb. 7 at the playhouse, at 6766 Main St.

If you go:

Performances run through March 1 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Tickets cost $30 for adults and $25 for students, patrons 65 and older and military personnel.
Tickets for members of the South Florida Theatre League are $20 with identification, sold at the door only.
Tickets are also sold online at www.
mainstreetplayers.com, or at the door an hour before showtime. For more info call 305-558-3737.