Between heaven and hell there is another place. This place: Hope.
And in this mythical corner of purgatory the players of The Forum Theatre explore “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot,” seeking to determine if he was ultimately responsible for the death of Jesus Christ. Using contemporary language and situations, the question plays out in a courtroom expertly presided over by the crusty, ill-tempered Judge Littlefield (Brian Hemmingsen).
Playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis adds contemporary humor — often by way of outrageous stereotypes and misogynistic viewpoints — to soften the gut-wrenching question before the court.
Among the finest players in such a role is Veronica del Cerro, who makes Saint Monica a tough-talking, gum snapping, obscenity flinging wiseacre with a heart that bleeds for the catatonic Judas. Saint Monica also has some pull with the Big Guy and enlists God’s help in bringing the case to trial. As defense attorney Fabiana Aziza Cunningham, Julie Garner has the prance, dance and sophisticated gift of gab of a hard-as-nails litigator down to a T. That’s increasingly evident as she debates one adversary after another, trading quick-witted jabs with many including the seemingly likable sociopath Satan, as brilliantly portrayed by Jim Jorgenson.
In fact, there’s not a poor performance among the 15 players who do their best to infuse their characters with the nuances needed for this type of moral autopsy.
Was Judas predisposed to betrayal? Was he a liar? Did he have any redeeming qualities that should be considered? And what of his attempts to recant his betrayal of Jesus?
The compass pointing toward truth swings wildly back and forth between Judas as an agent of free will to belief that he, and all of us, are cogs in a giant human wheel of destiny.
But watching the play one wonders if Guirgis himself is truly comfortable exploring the dilemma or if he has, in fact, made up his mind. At one point, the indicator clearly shows that Judas is again being used, this time by the litigators who seek to resolve their own personal issues. But then the indicator again swings — somewhat limply — to free will.
And some of the humor in the play, including a somewhat irreverent depiction of Mother Teresa (Heather Haney), brings laughs but strain to make points, coming off instead as sophomoric and mean-spirited. Weighing in at two hours and 45 minutes, Guirgis’ play would have been well served by a heavier pen during the editing process.
Despite minor flaws, the Forum Theatre production is a bravo performance of a moving and thoughtful question that has implications for each — and all — of us.
If you go
“The Last Days of Judas Iscariot”
Where: The Forum Theatre, H Street Playhouse, 1365 H St. NE
When: Various times, now through Dec. 21
Info: $15 to $20; 202-489-1701; www.forumtd.org
