WTC brings gripping ‘Church & State’ to the stage

The Whitefish Theatre Co. presents its second Black Curtain theater production of the 2022-2023 season with “Church & State” by Jason Odell Williams. Called “surprisingly subtle and sophisticated,” “Church & State” has performances at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 and 20 at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

Three days before his bid for re-election — and in the wake of another school shooting — U.S. Sen. Charles Whitmore has a life-altering crisis of faith, triggering an off-the-cuff comment to a Twitter-savvy blogger that sends his entire campaign into a tailspin. The senator's devout wife and liberal campaign manager try desperately to contain the damage, but in a country where religion influences politics and politics have become a religion, how do you reach the people and stay true to yourself?

A timely, fast-paced story nominated for Best New Play in 2017, “Church & State” is simultaneously funny, heartbreaking and uplifting.

“The play is disarmingly funny, reminiscent of a great episode of ‘Veep’,” Director Jake Carr said. “It deals with important, complicated issues without being preachy or talking down to its audience … That said, the play is guaranteed to provoke discussion. I hope viewers return home spurred to start thoughtful conversations about the heart-sinking honesty that Williams has put into this urgent play.”

Cast members include Andrew Matulionis as Sen. Charles Whitemore, Joy James, Kim Krueger, Gil Jordan, JeAnna Wisher and Scott Plotkin.

As a Black Curtain production, there will be minimal staging, set and props and actors will be reading from a script.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students for all shows and can be purchased at the box office at 1 Central Ave. in Whitefish or by calling 406-862-5371. Box office hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before a performance. Individual tickets can also be purchased online at www.whitefishtheatreco.org.