Protest boosts sales for 'Corpus Christi'
10:45 PM 3/02/04
Tom Alesia Wisconsin State Journal

An out-of-state postcard campaign against a Madison theater company's production of "Corpus Christi," which depicts a gay Jesus, has increased ticket sales for the play opening Friday, the show's organizer said. <

Madison's StageQ, a 3-year-old theater company promoting gay-themed shows and gay playwrights' work, has sold out its first two performances of "Corpus Christi" at the Bartell's 92-seat Evjue Theatre. <

The protests, said StageQ artistic director Thomas McClurg, "certainly haven't hurt." The attention created enough interest to extend the show's run over four weekends, one more than usual for StageQ, he said. <

"Many people know the play and want to see it," McClurg said. "But a fair number of people are seeing it because they want to see what the hoopla is about and why this play is supposedly so objectionable." <

A Hanover, Pa.-based group called America Needs Fatima has acquired a permit to protest near the Bartell, 113 E. Mifflin St., from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. Group director Robert Ritchie will make the 14-hour drive to protest. He said the number of protestors "varies from place to place." <

Ritchie criticized McClurg. "He's insulting the honor of Jesus Christ probably a lot more than he realizes." <

As a result, StageQ has hired two off-duty police officers to work security on the show's first two nights, McClurg said. <

Several thousand postcards objecting to "Corpus Christi" have been received by Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, the Bartell and Madison media outlets. Cieslewicz bought a ticket for Friday's show. <

McClurg tried to move "Corpus Christi" into the Bartell's 216-seat auditorium, the Drury Theatre, but Strollers Theatre has the larger space reserved. <

The two-hour "Corpus Christi" is more than 50 percent sold for its 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday shows March 12 through 27. There are also shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays on March 11, 18 and 25. More shows may be added. <

"We rarely sell out opening weekend so the fact we've done that tells me we'll be pretty successful," McClurg said. "Nothing will make me happier." <

Contact Tom Alesia at talesia@madison.com or at 252-6122. <