Caught in the Pulpit and the Santa Fe Institute

May 23, 2017

It's not often you get to present scenes of a work-in-progress at a beautiful historic theater (Santa Fe's Lensic theater), to a large crowd, and have world-renowned scientist-philosophers weigh in. OK, one of the scientists was my father, Michael Gazzaniga. The other was my collaborator on Caught in the Pulpit, Dan Dennett. So I had a leg up. But still. It was a one-of-a-kind evening and the audience reaction was heartening for the future of the play. Seems people are hungry for discussion about religion, and hearing the real words and struggle of clergy who no longer believe is a suprising and interesting way in to the conversation.

Thanks to David Krakauer and Jessica Flack at the Santa Fe Institute for the invitation to produce this event. And to the Santa Fe actors Elizabeth Wiseman, Hania Stocker, Charles Gamble, Sabina Dunn and Campbell Martin for giving voice to the clergy in the selected scenes.

A video of the event is available to watch here.

Visit my blogs

Deadline-Gowanus

The Handy Maniac

Read my plays

@Itookthispic

Neither rain nor wind nor gloom of waking up early on Thanksgiving will keep these turkeys from swift completion of their appointed TROT. @prospectparktc #pptcraceforreconciliation2024

Gowanus influencers. #gowanus #gowanuscanal #gowanusartparade

Congratulations to the amazing creatives, cast and crew of Dead Outlaw. With a special hug to the music folks who wrote a bunch of great songs and rocked it every night onstage. @erikdellapenna @davidyazbek dean sharenow @rebekahnbruce @hank_heaven spencer cohen, and chris smylie.

So very sad to learn of Dan Dennett’s passing. First pic is when I first interviewed him in 2015 as we embarked on the journey to bring the interviews in “Caught in the Pulpit” (his book written with Linda La Scola) to the stage. Second pic is outside 59E59 theater during the world premiere production of that play - THE UNBELIEVING - with The Civilians - 7 years later. And 3rd pic is a talkback after the show with Dan, Linda and the real “Adam Mann” - one of the clergy whose story features prominently in the book and play. Dan believed in the power of theater to bring the stories of non believing clergy to light and worked tirelessly to make it happen. His empathy for their struggles was always at the fore. I am forever grateful for having gotten to collaborate with him and to get to know him. His intelligence, kindness and big heart will be missed. Thank you Dan. And to all the actors and creatives who helped make this dream of his a reality. @poeglobalproductions @civiliansnyc @stevecosson @doctorbiehlgood @sonbobs_coffeehouse @ninahellmanbrooklyn @domdan13 @richtopol @jdrloves_u @david.aaron.baker

Look closely and you can see my favorite bass playin', nail bangin' cowboy tearing it up in Dead Outlaw. Live, onstage at the Minetta Lane - just extended til April 14th. You don't wanna miss it. It's hella fun. Makes you laugh, stomp your feet, and think. What more do you want from 95 minutes of no-intermission theater? Plus 7pm show times! I mean, really. Does it get better than this? Erik Della Penna and David Yazbek have written some stunning tunes. The cast is killer and the band - well, they rock. Everyone on the production has worked their butts off to create something really special. Read the reviews if you don't believe me. Or better yet, just go and be surprised. I think that's the best way to see theater anyway. (If you do get tix, shoot us a message so C knows to look for you.) @erikdellapenna @davidyazbek @davidmcromer @rebekahnbruce @audibletheater @ everyone-on-the-team

Happy International Women’s Day. This reminds me of what we do all day, every day. #internationalwomensday