The Trial

The Easter story is retold through many different viewpoints in this fascinating contemporary courtroom drama. It places three of the Passion narrative's characters on trial for their role in the crucifixion of Christ: Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus; Caiaphus, the Jewish High Priest who presided over Jesus' trial; and Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor who sentenced Jesus to death. The prosecution calls on their witnesses: a person who represent Matthew, writer of the first gospel, as well people to represent Mark and John. Through questioning, each tells his version of the events. But before the defense can call their witnesses, an attorney for the ACLU disrupts the courtroom. Interspersed with the testimony are the underlying stories of the attorneys themselves: one has left the ministry, one is contemplating leaving the law profession all together, and one desperately wants to learn more about God. After all of the closing arguments, the attorneys agonize as they wait for the verdict. The prosecution prevails, and one attorney loses his first case, but finds something more important. Performance time: About 90 minutes.