seen onstage at Theatre Cedar Rapids in Annie and Fiddler on the Roof. His first show is Witnesses, which opens tonight at the Grandon Studio at Theatre Cedar Rapids. The one-man show was written by Curt Cloninger, who is described on his website as "a follower of Jesus, and a professional actor and writer. He uses his comic and dramatic skills to present story and theatre which move an audience to see and feel the startling good news of God in fresh and creative ways." Cloninger has presented his shows coast to coast, at many different churches and schools. Swenson has received permission from Cloninger to present Witnesses in the Midwest region.In this dramatic yet personal performance, Swenson portrays eight characters (historical and imagined) as they each respond to Jesus. Through the eyes of these characters (both comic and serious) the audience is invited to see Jesus from a fresh perspective... not as a cold and distant figure, but as one who was intimately involved with the nitty-gritty of life.
$15 for Adults, $12 for Students. To order tickets please call 319-377-5253.
(This show is not recommended for children under 12 yrs old. The content is family friendly throughout, but the intensity of some scenes may be a bit scary for younger children.)
We had a chance to talk to Swenson about his new venture.
Let's start with the name, which I love by the way. Why Paraphrase?
Jonathan: I chose Paraphrase because it sounded really cool. Just kidding! But I do like the sound of it! Actually, I was looking for a name that had some faith-connotations but was not over the top cheesy... like "Children of the Light Theater" or "SONshine Players". Not that there is anything wrong with those, but I think they communicate that the message is for Christians only... and that makes it a sort of insiders club. I am not interested in that at all.
A "paraphrase" is a retelling of a story or message in a modern, more contemporary way in order to make the meaning of the story more accessible to its readers or listeners. My faith is not something that I think is meant just for people that believe the same things I do. I think it is meant to be shared and maybe more importantly, experienced, in a winsome, engaging, unforced way... that allows people to enter into conversation and reflection with each other about such matters. I am a pastor, let's face it... I have a strong faith. But one of my favorite places to be is OUTSIDE the walls of the church where I can engage with people who believe differently than me and we can have some good honest conversation about those things and both grow in the process and maybe, together, arrive a little closer to the truth. The world of theater allows me to do that and frankly, it also allows me to just go play and have a blast with people I love. It is good therapy for me.
So that's why you started Paraphrase?
Jonathan: I've been dreaming of this for quite some time. I have often thought that I would love to develop a community of actors and crew members who would be very intentional about building a positive, supportive community around the shared passion of the arts. I've done so many shows where the cast and crew grows quite close over the course of the production, but when the show ends you break up and everyone goes on their way. Among other things I would love to be able to keep that wonderful sense of community going after the production and into the next one.
It's clear that you consider this a part of your ministry. Can you talk a little about that perspective and how that affects your approach and the shows you choose?
Jonathan: I do consider this an extension of my ministry, but not in a "force my religion on other people" kind of way. My friends in the theater world know that I am a pastor and sometimes that role ends up carrying over a bit into those friendships. Just like everyone else in the world, my artist friends have hurt and pains from time to time and it is just a natural thing for me to lean into those times with them a little bit and to try to offer what I can. I enjoy loving people and if that is connected to my faith perspective on life, I think that's an okay thing.
In terms of my faith affecting the shows Paraphrase will do it certainly will be at the base of what we are about, but I have been hoping to be very clear about the fact that not every show we do will be directly related to a faith theme. Some will. And certainly this first show, Witnesses is a faith-based story! Other times, though, we will just do a good old fashioned comedy or farce, maybe eventually a musical... we'll see where it goes... but the common theme will be that the productions are family-friendly. I want people in the area to know that Paraphrase is a place where they can consistently bring the family for a fun and hopefully meaningful night of quality entertainment that supports their family values.
At the same time, however, I do not want Paraphrase to become known as the theater group that just does "church skits" that are preachy and simplistic and, frankly, not always done with a value of excellence (though I want to go on record as saying that some of the drama ministries I know of and have helped lead are have been done very, very well.) Still, there are those stereotypes out there, and I do not want to be that.
Instead, I hope that the shows Paraphrase produces will, again, be done with excellence... and when they are faith-related, they will inspire, stretch, challenge and invite people into deeper dialogue about faith matters rather than talking down, pointing fingers or preaching at anyone. I think drama has a unique ability to do things that even the best of sermons, done well, can't pull off in the same way. It doesn't take the place of good preaching, nor should it try to, but there IS power in drama as an illustrative tool to raise issues that reach the heart and challenge the mind, which is why it is such an effective communication tool.
Are one-man shows going to be Paraphrase's choice in the future or do you plan to do other types of shows?
Jonathan: Paraphrase will actually have two components to it. Some shows I will take on the road to churches, conferences, retreats, theaters... secular or faith-based. Anyone who will take me! The other component will be the local productions and most of those will not be solo projects. One of the main goals of this endeavor is to build community. That's tough to do alone!
Why did you choose Witnesses?
Jonathan: I first saw a production of Witnesses, performed by the playwright, Curt Cloninger, about 15 years ago. I immediately felt a kindred spirit with both Curt and with what he was doing with this show. The Jesus I believe in was a real person, whom people were attracted to and fell in love with. Either that, or they tried to kill him. There wasn't much in between. He was radical in his approach to life and radical in loving people. That is the Jesus I know and base my faith on and this show allows me to express that in a non-threatening, non-preachy, fun, entertaining and yet, quite meaningful way. I think that is ultimately what I want Paraphrase to be about. That approach to life and to relationships, that shows the character of who I believe Jesus was. This play shows him as a real person, engaged in the very real matters of life. Real. Authentic. Fun-loving, but committed to his mission. That is what I want my life to be about as well and it is what I want I want the way I spend my time to be about also. So, it seemed like the perfect tone to set as I launch this new endeavor.
Did you have a director help you with the show or did you direct yourself?
Jonathan: I have self-directed it, but much of it is based on Cloninger's staging. He has given me free reign to make it my own, but I like a lot of what he did, so why change what works? Some elements are totally unique to this show though. A good friend of mine, Tammy Whitlow, is a gifted artist who has a great eye for costumes, sets, and the overall look of a production. She has contributed a great deal to the look and shape of this show. I also have a completely original soundtrack that I perform the show with, which was composed by Gerard Estella of SPT Theatre. He is unbelievably talented and has written, very informally, a score that highlights the drama and depth and fun too... of the character of each unique scene and character.
Are you the first person to perform the show outside of Curt Cloninger?
Jonathan: Curt has allowed one other actor to do this show, mainly in the South. He has given me permission to perform it in the Midwest, primarily... but also for the church contacts and circles that I run in. It is an extension of his ministry and I am extremely grateful and excited that he is taking me on board and allowing me to perform his baby. He really has written something quite profound and beautiful with this show.
What else do you want the readers to know about Witnesses?
Jonathan: I like what my friend, Seth Walters, a gifted photographer who took the PR photos for this show... I like what he wrote about it after seeing a preview performance. He said, "It is is like a non-musical Godspell, perfect for Christians and non-Christians alike." I kind of like that summary. I certainly approach it from a faith perspective, but I do think it is a great show for anyone to attend who is interested in a fun night of entertainment that will also give a fresh and hopefully uplifting take on a man who has caused discussion, debate and everything in between for over 2,000 years. Christianity is getting more and more of a bad reputation these days. Sometime deservedly so. We Christians have not always done a good job of carrying out what we profess to believe. But this show does an excellent job of getting back to the basics and showing, in a very real way, I think, who Jesus really was... and what, I believe anyway, he wanted his mission to be about. It is fun, engaging, non-threatening, meaningful and a heck of a good time. I hope people will check it out.
Thanks, Jonathan. And readers, you can check out a preview of the show below.
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