Customer Reviews

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot - Acting Edition

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I enjoyed this play so much. It wasn't that I could not put it down- instead I wanted it to last- I would read a scene and force myself to put it down so it would be waiting for me the next day. The way he makes his characters come to life is brilliant. As you read it you can hear the voice of each person. Mr. Guirgis causes you to think about how things are perceived differently by different people, and we ourselves are sometimes our own worse critic...I loved how when I was reading the scene with Satan- at one point I literally felt nauseous- I did not love feeling nauseous- but then I realized- this is Satan- it should make you sick. And the stunning monolgue given by Jesus near the end is so beautiful and heart wrenching and says, "This is who I am- who I am meant to be-and many of you who think you know me- need to think again about who I am and what I came here for." It sums up the teaching of Jesus using his greatest lesson- to love others- especially those whom you really really really don't want anything to do with. And it's the lesson that most of us forget so easily- and yet its the most important one. And the final monologue by Butch Honeywell-well--you just have to read that one yourself...What a great play...Thanks Mr. Guirgis.

Stephen Adly Guirgis is a playwright that as a young person living in an urban city you feel you could chill with. He's also a playwright that if you're an affluent privileged person you'd still love to meet...why? The guy makes you think.

In The Last Days of Judas Iscariot we are met with a cast of characters that are so famous and infamous that we can't help but get excited to see what's next. Where else can you see Mother Teresa and Satan take the stand on the same day in a trial set in purgatory. Comic and thought provoking at the same time.

The play focuses on what led to the downfall of Judas Iscariot, the notorious disciple. Was it really his fault? Did Jesus want him to do it? Did he still love him after the fact? This play is not an attack on christianity. If anything it is a play that spotlights spirituality and the importance of faith, whatever that may mean for the individual.

The writing is very accessible with dialogue you would hear on a modern day street corner to more refined monologue moments. If anything, this play will make you think about right and wrong and how what we opine is relative, especially if we weren't there and didn't "walk a mile" in their shoes thing.

Get this and get the Guirgis trilogy. If you're a young actor who can't find a monologue that "speaks to you" check out Guirgis's work. You'll be hard pressed not to have at least one "wow" or "that's tight" moments after reading.

Enjoy.

If you have ever read a play by Stephen Adly Guirgis, you know he's a great writer, in his own right. "The Last day of Judas Iscariot", in my opinion, is a very well written play with a variety of differents characters that bring a certain savvy to the play. I enjoy read plays show character interaction with a purpose either subtly or obviously and I think "relationships" and character interaction work effectively. Now if one reads this thinking they're about to read some kind of biography of Judas Iscariot from the bible, then they are about as backwards as someone watching the musical "Jesus Christ: Superstar" for spiritual growth. The play presents different ideas, not necessarily about religon, but about ethics, morality and seems to show characters in a three dimensional matter. I strongly recommend that most every one should read this play, especially if one is a student of the arts. If you are open-minded and like good plays, then read this play! I'm a christian and I still think it is a good play! I also recommend that if you like this play by Guirgis then you will certainly love his play called "Our Lady Of 121st." You can't go wrong with either of these play.

I ordered this book the day after we saw the play. There was much to think about and I wanted to read what I had heard. The lanuage was a bit rough for me but then I'm old. I really would recommend it to anyone who likes to think about what they do or do not believe. Patricia Murchek

This was an engaging and satisfying look at an old story from a very new angle -- viewing what is traditionally presented as a black and white story of betrayal and greed as an extremely complex web of the interactions of many complex personalities, both human and divine. The book itself, although advertised as in good condition, arrived in "like new" condition, and arrived sooner than expected.

Downtown LA Premiere [...].

Over 2,000 years ago, in the land of Judea, the apostle Judas Iscariot committed the greatest act of betrayal the world has ever known. Stephen Adly Guirgis uses this timeless tale as the template for his court case drama set in purgatory, but this verdict and vernacular comes straight from the gritty, urban streets. Which begs the question, are these underserved communities any different from ...what we all fear most...hell? This fascinating play is not merely a religious diatribe, as witnesses like Mother Teresa, Sigmund Freud, Pontius Pilate and Satan take the stand we realize its messages of free will, responsibility, faith, fate and forgiveness are all universal. With the world evolving and the economy sinking, values and morals become even more important for every one of us to hold on to. We each possess qualities that we believe in, but in the world of Judas Iscariot the characters hold these values so close, so sacred that everything else is dust. All we can do is watch, learn and try to understand that in terms of humanity Caiaphas, Pilate, Satan, Judas and Jesus are all equal.

Stephan Adly Guirgus is a master craftsman as he explores the unconditional love of God. The characters are full and compelling. The dialogue is fresh, creative, and modern. This play made me laugh out loud, shed a few tears, and nearly shake in frustration as the events in limbo's courtroom unfold. This is a page turner, and also full of terrific monologues. I recommend it for people beyond the theatre- those interested in religion, philosophy, and the human condition.

If you ever get a chance to see this play..be sure to have time to watch it again! One person was a 'church-going' fool and was very upset that this wasn't an accurate historical account?! it's judgement day...it just might be accurate?!? Do we know if Judas' father was living or not?! Do we know if his father was good to him?! The writer takes these and other liberties into writing a story...and it does give some thoughts about who Judas was.

I watched the closing night. Loved it.. and wow..missed being able to re-read the play..took about 4 years to find a copy because I just didn't think it was available.. 15 seconds of looking and AMAZON helped!! :)

The Play...not giving it away..it's nice..thoughtful, provoking and just plain WOW! If i ever find it playing locally..i don't know who i would want to play...maybe Satan?! Maybe the defendant? Maybe even the Janitor?

well..just wanted to give a positive review without divulging much.

This was so distasteful to me that I ended up throwing it away.