FringeNYC 2013: Baptized

Baptized examines the epidemic of corruption in our religious institutions. It's a tale that plays out daily in churches and families across the country. This is the story of one family, in one church where silence allows the cycle to continue.

Official production website
Show details/ticketing at FringeNYC

Venue: The Lynn Redgrave Theater, 45 Bleecker Street

Review by Pamela Butler · August 15, 2013

Written and directed by Kristen Lishen, the program notes that Baptized is based on true events. It isn’t really so surprising; the news is filled with stories of priests who have erred and pursued young boys or girls, why should the Bible thumping churches of the deep south be exempt from harboring similar predators.

Pastor Russell Lawrence, played with chilling credibility by David M. Farrington, is a man who wrestles with his demon and loses, no matter how much he begs God to save him. The playwright does a good job of showing just how difficult it is to unmask such a man. The laws of God and the dictates of right behavior can so easily be invoked by a tyrant or a pervert. He can always hide behind -- for the love of god, just shut up and pray.

Living under such warped religious faith and practice , people can go mad, as does Grace (Sabina Petra), the good reverend’s wife. She knows what’s going on but is unable to do anything about it lest she risk destroying her family. She has three sons and a daughter. RJ (Glenn Leo), Gabe (Brandon Salerno) and Tommy (Christopher Michael) are typical teenagers and are mostly oblivious to their father’s bad behavior but they talk about the pregnancy of a local girl they know and we begin to suspect who the father is.

Then there is Bonny (Eilis Cahil), the pretty young daughter, who may or may not be a victim of her father’s abuse. I thought I caught a reference to it, but their wasn’t much indication from the way Bonnie didn’t react to her father’s physical touch or to being around him.

When Grace’s sister Sarah comes to visit she soon understands the situation for what it is. Abby Eletz bring a fresh, clear wisdom and posture to some of the most satisfying scenes in the play, as when she confronts the family with the truth. But as things like this often turn out, the Reverend and his family will move on to a new town and a new church without so much as a slap on the wrist.

As the action unfolds, a choir composed of vocalists Isabel Carey, Bailey Seeker and Jessica Hilliard, under the direction of Brooke Wilcox, sing beautifully harmonious hymns off stage in the background.

This is the writer’s first play and she has tackled a hypocrisy as old as man and religion, but the more it is exposed and challenged, the more chance there is of it becoming intolerable in our society. A very worthy effort.

Preview: Interviews with Artists from Baptized

We're asking artists from each show to answer questions about themselves and their work to help our readers get a detailed advance picture of the festival:

All About My Show · Kristen Lishen (Writer)

Complete this sentence: My show is the only one in FringeNYC that...?
... deals with sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Church.
What do you think this show is about? What will audiences take away with them after seeing it?
Baptized is about how good people allow bad things to happen - and continue to happen. It's about family, faith, denial, forgiveness, acceptance and the cyclical nature of abuse.
Why did you want to write this show?
I didn't! I wanted to write a lighthearted comedy. Baptized is what came out. I think I continued writing it because it's true ... and the sort of dynamic that a large, (strict) religious family in the south has isn't something I see regularly represented. Also, my mom told me not to and inside I'm a five year old.
Who are some of the people who helped you create this show, and what were their important contributions to the finished product?
My cast has been incredibly influential. Many of them have been with me since the first table reading, then public reading. Their questions and feedback have really helped me clarify my vision. Cassandra Hume (author of 'The A-is-for-Abortion Play, also premiering at FringeNYC) held me accountable for getting words on paper. My boyfriend's unfailing support really encouraged my to take on this new task. We wouldn't have a show if it weren't for the faith of our Executive Producer, Rita Fleming-Castaldy and Associate Producer, Bedrock Wine Co. And, of course, my family, who have played a huge role in development (and my life in general).
Which character from a Shakespeare play would like your show the best: King Lear, Puck, Rosalind, or Lady Macbeth -- and why?
Rosalind would completely commiserate with the plight of the female characters, but I think Lady Macbeth may see a little of herself in Grace. Tie.

Read more All About My Show previews!

Many Faces of Theater · Sabina Petra (Actor)

What type of theater do you like most to work on?
New theatre! There is nothing quite like being part of a brand new play or musical, where you get to bring all your creativity and imagination to work with you and create a new life on stage, together with your colleagues, your director and playwright.
Theater is a necessary ingredient in democratic societies. Do you agree or disagree, and why?
I agree. Theatre can spark something within you, whether it's an idea, an opinion, a realization, a memory or a need to give your grandmother a call...it is a catalyst in so many ways, apart from being entertaining, interesting, creative and all the other properties that makes theatre so eye-opening,
Are audiences in New York City different from audiences in other cities/countries where you’ve worked? If so, how?
I am originally from the Netherlands, and I find that the audience in NYC is a little more willing to experiment, see theatre they haven't seen before, experience something new. Even though Dutch theatre can be very outside the box, the audiences mostly enjoy things they actually have seen before.
What theatrical style(s) or genre(s) best describe this production?
Baptized is a modern play about family and faith.
People who like which of the following recent Broadway shows would also probably like your show: KINKY BOOTS, THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, ONCE, or JERUSALEM?
The Trip To Bountiful, Jerusalem.

Journey to FringeNYC · John Curtis (Other)

What are some of your previous theater credits? (Be specific! Name shows, etc.)
Fuddy Meers(River Valley Rep) A y A YEar With Frog and Toad(Summer Theatre of Mew Canaan) Peter Pan ( Roxy Regional Theatre) The Merchant of Venice & The Jew Of Malta (York Shakespeare Company)
If this is your first appearance in FringeNYC -- why did you want to be part of this festival? If you have appeared in FringeNYC before, tell us what show(s) you have done here previously. What about your prior experience led you back to this festival?
First time with the Fringe, my Friend Kristen Lishen had her play, "Baptized" accepted into the festival and I was asked to be assistan director
Have you seen a lot of fringe shows in the past, and what have you learned from them to help with this show?
The Fringe is all about collaboration, not just with your own company but with everyone,the shows which are sharing your venue, the shows playing close to yours, everyone is supportive of one another and working together.
What was the most memorable/funny/unusual thing that has happened during the development and rehearsal process for this show?
This is a very serious play, and it touches on some rather timely issues, and what was striking is how much humor a d lightheartedness it took to find the incredibly high stakes.
Which cartoon character would most like this show – Bugs Bunny, Marge Simpson, Charlie Brown, or Casper the Friendly Ghost?
Charlie Brown- heb is someone who likes to think very deeply and carefully about everything, and this would give him a lot to think about.

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