Text on a black background reads "Nathan the Wise" and "What is the True Religion?" in gold. Next to the text is a circular image divided into quadrants featuring symbols of Judaism, Christianity, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Islam in red.
2017 - 2018 Season

Nathan the Wise

October 19, 2017
7:30 PM
Colman Theater, College of Saint Benedict
Text on a black background reads "Nathan the Wise" and "What is the True Religion?" in gold. Next to the text is a circular image divided into quadrants featuring symbols of Judaism, Christianity, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Islam in red.

Nathan the Wise by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Directed by Kaarin Johnston
Colman Theater, College of Saint Benedict
October 19-24, 2017

Show times:

October 19, 20, 21, 23, 24 at 7:30 pm

October 21 and 22 at 2:00 pm

Jerusalem, 1192.  A Sultan, a Dervish, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, A Friar, a Templar knight and Nathan the Jew live side by side thanks to a fragile truce that could collapse at any moment.  Nathan has raised a Christian infant according to good moral principles rather than a specific religion so she may decide for herself the “true” religion.  When the ruling Sultan asks, “which religion is the one most beloved by God?” a pious Nathan, finds a way to answer him.  When this play was written in the 1700’s the pope refused to let it be produced; today this 240 year old play’s message is terrebly relevant.  It is being produced in part to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Collegeville Institute.

Congratulations to the Cast

George Dornbach, Kevin Duong, Marisela Weber, Farrad Williams, Gabriel Kwan, Andrew Noah, Emerita Palencia, Breana Burggraff, Matthew Kurpiers

Two actors on stage in elaborate costumes. One wears a long patterned coat and hat, the other a blue and white outfit with a red cap. They stand near a decorated platform with purple flowers and a patterned table with geometric tiles on the floor.
Two actors in ornate, patterned costumes perform on stage. One stands wearing a turban and robe, while the other sits on the floor with a headscarf, focusing on a patterned table between them. The setting suggests a historical or cultural theme.
Three people in period costumes perform on stage. One person stands in the background, while the other two, a man and woman in ornate clothing, are in the foreground. The woman holds a decorative fan, and they appear in conversation.
A theatrical scene with three actors. One actor is kneeling, looking up at another standing actor wearing a patterned robe and turban. A third actor sits on a decorated bench in the background. The floor is tiled with intricate patterns.
A stage with two actors. One is seated on a throne-like chair, wearing a gold costume, framed by an ornate backdrop. The other stands facing them in a long, striped robe and hat. The floor is decorated with mosaic tiles.
A person wearing a long, ornate robe and headpiece gestures with open hands on stage. Another person in similar attire sits in the background on a decorative bench. The stage floor has a colorful geometric pattern.
A person in a robe stands on a colorful mosaic floor, facing another person seated on a decorated chair. The scene is dimly lit, creating a dramatic atmosphere with spotlights focusing on the seated individual.
Two actors perform on a stage with a mosaic floor. One actor, seated on a decorated throne, wears a golden robe. The other stands in the spotlight wearing medieval-style clothing. The scene is illuminated by overhead lights.
Two actors in a theatrical scene. One sits on a bench dressed in ornate orange robes, while the other stands beside them in a blue outfit with red trim. The setting is dimly lit, emphasizing the characters' interaction and costumes.
Two individuals in intricate historical costumes sit on a bench. One wears an orange and gold ensemble with a hood, holding a feathered fan. The other is in blue, with a jeweled headdress. They share a contemplative moment against a dim backdrop.
Two people in theatrical costumes sit side by side. One wears a blue dress with a gold headpiece, while the other wears a gray robe with a red cross. They are engaged in conversation on a dimly lit stage.
Five actors on a colorful tiled stage, dressed in medieval-style costumes. One is facing away with a red cross on their back, while the others converse, with two holding musical instruments. The background is dimly lit.
Four actors in medieval costumes perform on stage. One wears a blue robe and yellow veil, another a red and gold outfit, and two are in tan and brown ensembles. The stage floor is patterned with colored tiles.
Two women in traditional attire perform on a colorful tiled floor. One woman kneels, wearing an orange shawl and holding a fan. The other lies on the floor in a blue and yellow dress, interacting with a partially visible figure.
Three individuals in historical costumes are on a dim stage. One wears a patterned robe and hat, another in a veiled orange outfit stands facing them, and the third, seated in the middle, wears a blue robe with a headpiece.
Three actors in colorful, elaborate costumes perform on a decorative tiled stage. Two stand in the center, one holding a fan, interacting with the seated figure in the foreground. The setting suggests a historical or cultural theme.
Two actors in ornate period costumes perform on stage. One reads from a book, wearing a red turban and robe, while the other stands beside him, dressed in a gold robe and headscarf, both illuminated by warm stage lighting.
A person in a historical or theatrical costume, wearing a long robe and headpiece, is standing on a dimly lit stage. They are touching a tall, ornate, cream-colored column. The background is dark, emphasizing the scene's dramatic atmosphere.
A theater scene depicts two actors in period costumes on a tiled floor. The person on the left, wearing a long robe and hat, faces a person on the right holding a piece of lace.
Two actors on stage wearing historical costumes. One holds a large basket, while the other unveils a cloth. The stage features a mosaic-patterned floor and soft lighting, creating a dramatic atmosphere.
Three actors perform on a dimly lit stage. The central figure, in a blue and gold costume, gestures expressively toward another actor in a brown robe. A third actor, holding a staff, is in the background, wearing a green and pink outfit.
Two actors in medieval costumes kiss on stage. One wears a blue gown with a yellow headscarf, the other a brown robe with gold trim. They are illuminated against a dark background.
Three people in colorful, historical costumes perform on a stage. The central figure in a blue robe raises their arms, flanked by two others in green and brown attire. The background is dimly lit, creating a theatrical atmosphere.
Two women in colorful, traditional outfits stand on a patterned floor, lit by stage lights in a dark setting. One woman wears a blue dress with a headpiece, while the other wears green and purple, with a headscarf.
A person in a robe stands on a dimly lit stage with colorful mosaic flooring, facing another person sitting in the distance. The background is dark, highlighting the intricate patterns on the floor.
Two actors perform on a dimly lit stage. One stands, wearing a brown monk's robe, while the other sits on a stone-like structure in casual attire. The floor is decorated with a colorful, mosaic-like pattern.
Two actors on stage, one in a white medieval knight's outfit with a red cross, the other in a brown robe. They stand on a multi-colored tile floor, with a dark background, suggesting a theatrical performance or play.
Two actors on stage in medieval costumes. One wears an ornate robe and headpiece, looking intently at the other, who is in a plain robe holding an object. The stage floor is patterned, and the background is dimly lit.
Two actors on stage: one in a brown robe stands on the left, while the other, holding a staff and wearing a black robe with a patterned shawl, stands on a raised platform. They are separated by a mosaic-style floor under dim lighting.
Two actors on stage in a dramatic scene. One wears a colorful medieval costume with a headpiece, and the other wears a simple white cloak. They face each other with expressive body language against a dark background.
A figure draped in a colorful, patterned cape and a black hood stands on a tiled floor, facing away. They hold a white staff and look towards a hanging ornate cross illuminated in the dark background. An exit sign glows faintly in the distance.