NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@alpha.nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

7/19/2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - Jonathan Steele is eagerly anticipating his chance to help tell an old story in a new way. Steele will play the lead role of Jesus in the NSU Summer Theatre production of "Cotton Patch Gospel" which opens July 31 in Theatre West.

According to Director Dr. Jack Wann, the play brings the far-away places of Nazareth, Jerusalem and Bethlehem closer to home- Atlanta, and Valdosta, Ga. From his birth in a Gainesville, Ga. trailer to his Good Friday lynching and Easter Sunday victory, the story of Mary Davidson's son, Jesus, is presented musically with zest and uninhibited joy. It is a rare dramatic presentation that succeeds in both entertaining and sharing fresh insight into the Gospel.

"It is a really funny play. I like it a lot," said Steele, a theatre major from Mandeville. "It is interesting to see the play tied to places in Georgia. I have relatives in Stone Mountain, Ga., so I know the places they talk about."

Steele says it is not unusual to see a work that places Jesus in a context apart from the Bible.

"There are a number of movies and stories that put Jesus in different circumstances," he said. "One of my favorite movies is 'The Last Temptation of Christ.' Even though it's banned in a lot of outlets, I don't consider it sacrilegious at all.

"A chance to play a role like this is something that doesn't come along often. I am happy and honored that Dr. Wann thought I could pull it off. The role is not as difficult as some roles. It is more difficult to play a stereotypical character."

Steele said he is always glad to work on a play with Wann.

"There is a lot of weight on my shoulders, but I look forward to working with him," said Steele. "I enjoyed working with him on 'The Scottish Play' (MacBeth). We have a close knit group on this play."

Steele attended the University of New Orleans and Southeastern Louisiana University before transferring to NSU. He had been involved in theatre, but became more active once he got to Northwestern.

"I love theatre. I have always been an entertainer by writing or being silly," said Steele. "Once I came here and saw how structured the program, how you are trained to get a job, I fell in love with it."

Steele also enjoys writing and hopes to write his own play. He has also started to read plays by many different authors.

"I have become an avid reader of plays," said Steele. "(Assistant Professor of Theatre) Scott Burrell got me into reading plays. He pushed it and pushed it. A successful actor needs to read plays all the time. I read them as I would read anything else. And if you miss something you can go back. As I read them, I can visualize how the play will be on the stage."

According to Steele, his extensive reading has helped his writing.

"I am a better writer especially when it comes to character development," he said. "I put more focus on the characters. I figure out the characters first then the story."

His work on "Cotton Patch Gospel" has gotten Steele familiar with its author Harry Chapin.

"All I knew about Harry Chapin was 'Cat in the Cradle,'" said Steele. "But this play is the most fun I have had in a long time."

"Cotton Patch Gospel will run through Aug. 9. Tickets are $10. For more information call (318) 357-6891.

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