Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
A Jesuit Off-Broadway
A Jesuit priest, a New York play, and questions as profound as they come . . .
A few years after being called to the priesthood, Father James Martin was startled to get a very different kind of call one evening in 2004: a phone call from actor Sam Rockwell. Rockwell had been cast for the part of Judas Iscariot in an Off-Broadway play, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, where...more
A few years after being called to the priesthood, Father James Martin was startled to get a very different kind of call one evening in 2004: a phone call from actor Sam Rockwell. Rockwell had been cast for the part of Judas Iscariot in an Off-Broadway play, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, where...more
ebook, 272 pages
Published
June 1st 2010
by Loyola Press
(first published August 31st 2007)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
169)
Mar 19, 2012
M Christopher
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
biography-memoir
"A Jesuit Off-Broadway" is the record of the original production of "The Last Days of Judas Iscariot" as seen through the eyes of the play's "theological consultant," a Jesuit priest with no theatrical background other than a role in a long-ago high school musical. James J. Martin, SJ, pulls off the not-inconsiderable feat of making the complex theology of guilt, atonement and despair surrounding the betrayer of Jesus comprehensible to the non-Churched playwright, director and acting company but...more
Mar 04, 2011
Deb
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
christianity
The author is a Jesuit priest who is asked by the author of a play about Judas to act as a theological advisor to the production. The actors and playwright wrestle with the story of Judas and whether he should be considered as a villian or an object of sympathy, the author finds himself having deep spiritual discussions with them, sometimes filling them in on religious history, sometimes just being a kind ear for them to vent to. The result is a fascinating look at what goes on behind the scenes...more
This is the best book I read in 2011. Actors and theatre are fascinating and Father Martin was also fascinated with his experiences as a consultant with the cast of "The Last Days of Judas Iscariot" in 2004 -2005. He was asked to provide background information about Judas Iscariot and the history at the time of Jesus. The subtitle of the book tells it all - "Behind the scenes with Faith, Doubt, Foregiveness and More." It is a revealing look at actors and playwrights collaborating with a priest t...more
May 10, 2009
allison
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone interested in the rehearsal/development process
This is a very interesting book that chronicles the development of Stephen Adly Guirgis' play The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, told from the point of view of a Jesuit priest, James Martin. Martin served as the "theological advisor" on the production, and through the course of the book, he addresses the historical and theological questions surrounding Judas' betrayal of Jesus, while at the same time offering a very compelling account of the play development process. It was particularly interestin...more
Fr. Jim (a Jesuit priest)is one of my favorite spiritual writers. He consistently is able to present complex theology in a very approachable way. In this book, he recounts his experiences as a theological consultant to an Off Broadway play, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. The play explores the fate of Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus...could he be forgiven? Is he in hell?
Fr. Jim becomes more than a story consultant and befriends the actors. This is an interesting look at life in the thea...more
Fr. Jim becomes more than a story consultant and befriends the actors. This is an interesting look at life in the thea...more
I did not find the title compelling, but the subject is fascinating: a play about The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. I've always felt the same way about Judas as the playwright does in this book--sorry for him! So wouldn't God feel the same way? As he details his time as theological advisor for the play, Father Martin does a nice job touching upon huge topics like who was ultimately responsible for Jesus' crucifixion, the humanity and divinity of Christ, and the Christian understanding of despair,...more
I always enjoy Fr. Martin's books. Since I have a theatre background, I could relate to the spiritual-artistic connections that he discusses.
A little heavier on the theology than the theatre, but a very sweet book. I really enjoyed it, though it's probably not for those that didn't spend 11 years in Catholic school like I did!
This is one of the best books I have read about theater and theology. Martin does an excellent job in describing the process he went through in helping the company in their research.
James Martin is a Jesuit priest who was asked to be a theological consultant to the play "The Last Days of Judas Iscariot". The story of the play, and the author's blooming relationship with the director, writer and cast make for fascinating reading.
Martin writes lucidly about deep theological questions, and he does not claim to know all the answers.
Believer or athiest, Christian or other, Catholic or Protestant, there's something in this book for you. Highly recommend.
Martin writes lucidly about deep theological questions, and he does not claim to know all the answers.
Believer or athiest, Christian or other, Catholic or Protestant, there's something in this book for you. Highly recommend.
Found this book on whim, and was pleasantly rewarded with exactly what I was hoping it would be. It's written by a Jesuit priest who was the "Theological Consultant" for an play in New York by Stephen Adley-Gurgis, directed by Pillip Seymour Hoffman, starring Sam Rockwell. It was reaffirming to have a fresh and unique perspective on the whole theatrical process, and an interesting glimpse at the lives of some artists I admire.
Accessible and fun to read, Martin's story of being the official theological advisor for an off-broadway play deals with some fairly dense "God" questions. One of my favorite aspects is how he describes (and encourages) the breaking down of stereotypes that happens when people of two seemingly different sorts meet and share life.
I loved it - the way iot was written, it was informative, funny and yet powerful... He cleaverly marries two arenas that are diverse and yet both very passionate... I will read more of his books - loved his style, the narrative mixed with a dose of theology... Clever! Thanks...
Great chronicle of a priest's work as theological adviser to a New York theater troupe creating a play about a trial of Judas Iscariot in the afterlife. It covers a lot of different people in various spots on their journeys of faith.
If you like James Martin's writing, get this one! For my money, this is his best!
good thelogical discussion on Judas and Jesus and talks alot about theatre life
I have been looking for a book for a spiritual book club , and I think this would be interesting and informative to a varied audience. Through his association with the cast of the play The Last Days of Judus Iscariot, Martin raises many relevant questions about faith, the Bible, and Catholicism. I like Martin's converstional style and down-to-earth explanations concerning religion. I feel like I know him and could ask him any of my own deep questions and get a straight, truthful answer.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
James J. Martin, born 29 December 1960, is a Jesuit priest, writer and Culture Editor of the Jesuit magazine America.
Education and Career
Martin grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, United States, and attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in 1982 and worked in corporate finance at General Electric for six years....more
More about James J. Martin...
Education and Career
Martin grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, United States, and attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in 1982 and worked in corporate finance at General Electric for six years....more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
