Is Being a Chosen Villain More Fun?

New on YouTube, The Chosen antagonists answer whether it's more fun to be bad—or if it's a little more complicated than that.

Against the Tide Media Interview Series

Against the Tide Media has added a nine part series of interviews with Elijah on playing his character, Atticus, on The Chosen tv series. They sat down with Elijah at ChosenCon 2024 to talk all things Chosen and give you an insider look at his character...plus some occasional snacking.

Follow the YouTube link to Against the Tide Media page to watch all nine parts and hear the entire interview.

Now on YouTube

‘The Spy Who Fed Me’ with your host Elijah Alexander.

Out now on YouTube, “The Spy Who Fed Me” with your host Elijah Alexander. It’s the show where we get to know your favorite cast members from “The Chosen” ….one ‘secret’ at a time. It’s not interrogation, it’s ‘conversation’. Good things.

In “The Spy Who Fed Me”, Elijah Alexander turns the tables on his character, Atticus, and his fellow Chosen actors—trading his cloak and dagger for a napkin and fork; and feeding his cast mates instead of helping himself. Join Elijah as he serves up our actors’ favorite foods, enjoys rich dinner table conversations, and maybe even uncovers a few juicy secrets from their pasts.

Welcome to The Spy Who Fed Me—the show where we get to know The Chosen cast members one secret (and bite) at a time.

Episode 1 of The Spy Who Fed Me

In Episode 1 of The Spy Who Fed Me , our ̶i̶n̶t̶e̶r̶r̶o̶g̶a̶t̶o̶r̶ host Elijah Alexander (Atticus) bonds with Noah James (Andrew) over a bowl of “tea-real.” You’re just gonna have to watch to see what that is, but we’ll warn you: it looks something like a Kellogg’s crime scene.

Elijah’s informants have provided excellent intel on Noah, which makes for good conversation about his family, early career in radio drama, passion for electronic dance music, and love/hate relationship with Super Mario Smash Bros.

Dig in and enjoy!

Episode 2 of The Spy Who Fed Me

In Episode 2 of The Spy Who Fed Me, this time, Elijah Alexander (Atticus) orders pizza and gets to know Luke Dimyan (Judas). Their dinner table talk ranges far and wide—from 15-year-old Luke’s Renaissance fair cosplay to his uncanny voice impression of Sir Ian McKellen. But a common thread is his lifelong passion for great storytelling and complex characters—both of which we find in his portrayal of Judas Iscariot.

REVIEW OF THE CHOSEN BY EARS TO HEAR

THE Chosen: The Last Supper Part 3 Review

April 10, 2025

Image Credit: 5&2 Studios

With only the finale left to prove itself, The Chosen: The Last Supper might just be the series’ strongest outing yet. Part 1 delivered the show’s best premiere to date, Part 2 masterfully followed up on its events while setting the stage for the conclusion — all while offering deeply compelling character work. Now, the table has been set, and Part 3 brings us to the finale.

The Last Supper’s finale is my most anticipated in the series yet, but even with the season’s solid start, I couldn’t help but feel apprehensive. Last season followed a similar trajectory, but ultimately ended with a whimper, leaving all the momentum for this season. Once again, we find ourselves standing at the edge of a monumental moment, as naturally we are leading up to the biggest moment in The Gospels and the focus of the next season: the crucifixion. Yet even before that, Jesus’s arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane presents fertile ground for a climactic, emotionally resonant finale that both concludes this season’s themes and sets the stage for what’s to come.

Did showrunner Dallas Jenkins deliver this time?

Let me respond like a tried-and-true evangelical: heck frickin’ yeah.

Episode Six, the first of the final three, begins as previous episodes have — with an excerpt from the Last Supper — before continuing the lingering conversations teased in the previous chapter. At this point in the story, we’re just 24 hours away from Jesus being taken into custody. If there’s one word that defines this season, it’s weight. The crucifixion has loomed over the series more heavily with each passing season, but here it feels like a dark cloud overhead — ever-present, inescapable.

Sure, next season will undoubtedly carry even more gravity. But within Scripture itself, Jesus’s prayer at Gethsemane is the final breath before the plunge — the last intimate moment between Jesus and the Father before the path is set. If there’s any measure of this season’s success, it’s the growing knot in my stomach that tightened with each passing scene… all the way to the final minutes.

Without diving into spoilers, I’ll say this: these final episodes close an era of The Chosen in ways I didn’t expect. I’ll continue to respect viewers who are unable to make it to theaters by avoiding major spoilers outside of what’s directly depicted in Scripture. The biblical foundation for these episodes is drawn from Matthew 26:1–50, Mark 14:1–45, Luke 22:1–48, and John 13, 17–18:1–3. I’m including the Last Supper itself here, even though parts of it have appeared in earlier episodes, as the supper itself is chronologically reached.

A theme that stood out early on was how different groups interpret Scripture — some with humility and a genuine desire to follow God, others twisting it to serve their own ambitions, ultimately becoming the very thing they claim to oppose. But hey, good thing we’ve evolved past that today, right?

Image Credit: 5&2 Studios

Before I dive into the good stuff, I’ll mention a small nitpick. While this season has taken a massive leap in set design (something I praised back in Part 1), there was one odd remnant from the show’s earlier, humbler days. In one scene, we see papers with Hebrew Scripture scattered about — but the text looked clearly printed, too modern and polished for anything from the first century. It’s minor and forgivable, but it stood out, especially against the backdrop of an otherwise visually top-tier production.

As usual, there are some standout performances in these episodes. I haven’t yet given a proper shoutout to ELIJAH ALEXANDER as Roman cohortes urbanae Atticus Aemilius Pulcher — but he’s easily one of my favorite original characters. Alexander’s charisma makes Atticus a scene-stealer, and we finally get to see more of what makes him tick. Part of what makes Atticus so compelling is that you never quite know what side he’s on. He’s so charming that it’s tempting to think he might be an ally to Jesus’s followers. Credit to the writers, who’ve crafted an original character that’s just as compelling as any biblical figure in the series — sometimes more.

There are plenty of other strong performances, but what stood out most in these final episodes was how many of the disciples were given their own meaningful moments. It’s a satisfying reward for longtime fans, and it left me wishing that each of these interactions could’ve been expanded into their own character-focused episodes.

On a personal note, I was especially happy to see Thaddeus (Giavani Cairo) finally get his moment — perhaps the most significant of them all. Every disciple has had their spotlight throughout the series, but Thaddeus has often been sidelined. As the first disciple to follow Jesus in the show, his moment here feels like a fitting bookend to the journey so far — and serves as a perfect juxtaposition for the final scene of the season.

As I’d suspected, the Last Supper was presented to us in pieces across the three episodes, with each portion building toward the full picture. The final episode moves beyond the meal and into the Garden of Gethsemane. On that note, while each piece of the Supper was intentionally paired with a thematic element (for instance, Jesus washing the disciples’ feet coinciding with deep character moments), I almost wish we could’ve seen the entire Last Supper presented uninterrupted — maybe as a bonus episode. Each scene was so well done, it would have been incredibly powerful to see it all at once.

Once the disciples reach the garden, the weight truly settles in. We’re really here. Too often, depictions of this moment in the Gospels feel like just another checkbox. Even in repeated readings of Scripture, it can become so familiar that the significance gets lost. The Chosen earns it. This moment feels important not just because of what’s happening, but because of the journey we’ve taken to get here.

Image Credit: 5&2 Studios

This is also where the season’s increasingly prominent spiritual elements culminate. I realized during this final episode that the visions we’ve seen — used more liberally this season — function in place of the Old Testament scenes that served as “pre-scenes” in earlier seasons. Because the Last Supper itself now acts as each episode’s prelude, those Old Testament echoes are woven more naturally into the story rather than prefacing it. Whether intentional or not, it’s another example of how The Chosen has matured in its storytelling, leaning into thematic cohesion.

One moment that truly moved me came when Jesus returns to find his disciples asleep in the garden. After a moment of disappointment, he looks upon them — and sees them as children. As a parent, this hit hard. In my own relationship with God, nothing has deepened my understanding of His love more than fatherhood. God has reminded me again and again that He looks at me not with disappointment, but the way I look at my own sons — with an abundant love too deep for words. That scene captured it perfectly. It’s yet another example of how The Chosen, while an artistic adaptation of the Gospels, mirrors how a pastor might teach: here’s the historical context, here’s how it connects to the Old Testament, and here’s how it applies to you.

Of course, the moment is sold by Jonathan Roumie’s performance. At this point, is it even a review of The Chosen if I don’t sing his praises? It’s just so dang true. It could be easily argued that Jesus’s time in the garden is the pivotal moment for an actor’s performance. Not to minimize what is to come, but the set design, special effects and the prosthetic department will be crucial in selling those moments in addition to the performance. But here, in the garden, it’s all on Roumie to embody “sorrowful, even unto death.”

“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’ And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’” — Matthew 26:39–41

Likewise, Judas’s defining moment is here, and Luke Dimyan plays it with heartbreaking nuance. He’s a man torn by his own vision of the Messiah — desperate to find his place, only to tragically fulfill it in the most ironic way possible.

These episodes are some of the hardest to write about — not because there’s little to say, but because they’re best experienced firsthand. And hopefully, that speaks for itself.

Hats off to Dallas Jenkins.

Conclusion

It’s official — The Chosen: The Last Supper isn’t just the best installment of the series so far. It might be the finest biblical depiction ever put to screen. Not only does it bring key Gospel moments to life, it gives them the proper emotional weight through years of careful buildup and character work.

9.5/10 — so that next season still has room to top it.

REVIEW OF THE CHOSEN BY CATHOLIC SKYWALKER

Thursday, April 17, 2025

TV Review: The Chosen - The Last Supper

There is a reason that The Chosen is a world-wide phenomenon. Christian movies and TV shows are a dime-a-dozen. But creator Dallas Jenkins understands that if you are going to make good Christian art, you must first focus on making good ART. So many well-intentioned Christian projects fall short because they lack the skill to match their earnest enthusiasm.

That is not the case with The Chosen. This is especially true about this 5th season, subtitled The Last Supper.

This season focuses on Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday and going all the way through the Agony in the Garden. One of the things that struck me as I watched these episodes in the theater was how cinematic it all was. For a show that is completely crowd-funded, the cinematography is gorgeous. You get the feeling for the immensity of Jerusalem on this truly epic scale. At the same time, the lighting and colors highlight the deeply intimate moments of love and heartbreak throughout.

One of the things that is fascinating about Jenkins and his writers is that they are able to take a story that is the most familiar in all of human history and he is still able to get you on the edge of your seat. As in past seasons they take liberties and elaborations with the Gospel stories, but it is always done in a way to enhance the depths of the story and the characters. Even though we all know where things are headed, he makes you feel the tension and the sorrow.

This season such an intersting framing device. Each episode begins with a flash forward to the Last Supper and then the rest of the episode is a flashback to earlier in the week. What makes it more interesting is that Jenkins shows us the Last Supper in reverse chronological order. The first episode shows us the end, right before they head to Gethsemane and then shows at the end Jesus (Jonathon Roumie) washing their feet. It had a fascinating effect to watch. By breaking it down this way, the creators once again force us to see something familiar from a new perspective. Doing this shakes us from our apathy and throws us into the drama.

There are two particularly powerful moments that are inventions of the show. The first involves the Hebrew Dayenu prayer. Traditionally, it is a prayer that remembers the the great things that God has done. For example, it says "If He had brought us out of Egypt, but not executed justice upon the Egyptians, it would have been enough. If He had executed justice on the Egyptians, but not upon their gods, it would have been enough..." And it goes on like this for many stanzas. In the show, the evening before the Last Supper, Jesus has dinner with his female disciples and they recite their version of the Dayenu that had many people in tears.

A powerful moment occurs in the Agony in the Garden. To help get us int Jesus' mind, we see that He has visions of Abraham and Isaac, Ezekiel, and one other person. It was this third person that almost broke me down and was a touching meditation on the vulnerabilty of Christ.

One other elaboration that I was very happy with was the calling of Little James (Jordan Walker Ross) and Thaddeus (Giavani Cairo). The series began with these two already as Jesus' disciples. So there was an immense sense of satisfaction to finally see this.

But it is not just the elaborations that are powerful. Jenkins and his crew are able to bring to life the power and shock of the Gospel stories. When Jesus cleanses the Temple, you can feel the tension, fear, anger, and outrage of everyone involved. It is one of the most dramatic and stressful parts of the entire season.

All of the performances are excellent. This is a cast that has worked together for many years and their chemistry is evident. Roumie in particular is wonderful. As the Jesus, he lets us feel all the wide range of human emotions our Savior must have felt, all of them feel honest and profound, but he never loses that sense of Divine grace in his performance. Besides Roumie, the biggest standout is ELIJAH ALEXANDER as Atticus Aemilius. He has such commanding charisma that he seizes your attention every time he is on the screen. He seems like the master of the world who is in complete control of all the elements around him. His arrogant humor does not feel like bluster, but a projection of his intelligence and power. I sincerly hope that his character will have a direct encounter with Jesus next season to see if that cynical shell will crack or harden.

The one thing I am not a big fan of is the portrayal of Pontius Pilate. Andrew James Allen is doing a fine job in the role. But the writer portray him as weak and disengaged. Historically, Pilate was a violent monster who crucified hundreds of men, women, and children. The writers attempt to balance this with the character of Atticus, who carries this hardened demeanor. But I would have prefered a more menacing Pilate.

Watching The Chosen has been a moving experience and has shaped my spiritual imagination. I recommend to everyone who wants to see one of the best pieces of Christian art in years, please check out this past season.

"The Last Supper" series by Annie Liebovitz

The Last Supper series by #annieliebovitz
Season 5 ‘The Chosen’ promo campaign

Now featured at Times Square in New York City

WELCOME!

Introducing

‘Artist’ Training - private online real-time coaching
with Elijah Alexander

In association with Wolfheart Productions

OFFERINGS
Audition Coaching - Theater/TV/Film/VO/Commercial
‘Radical Authenticity’ - Acting Technique
Scene Study
Conservatory Admission Audition Prep - BFA/MFA
Diction/Dialects
Monologue Repertoire
Artist Mentoring - cultivating an artistic approach to your life’s work
One Person Show - conception/development/performance
Shakespeare & Classical Verse Plays - text analysis/scansion

click here for details

AGAINST THE TIDE MEDIA INTERVIEW

Anthony Perrelli, with Against the Tide Media, sits down with your favorite snacking Roman, Elijah Alexander, to discuss his role as Atticus Amelius Pulcher on The Chosen. In this interview, Elijah shares about his family and religious background, the research he has put into his role on The Chosen, and the perspective his character brings to the show. He also answers all sorts of fan inquiries, including the frequently asked question of why Atticus is always eating and snacking in episodes.

Click on the image to watch this fascinating and entertaining interview.

ChosenCon 2024! Will you be there?

Elijah is excited to attend #ChosenCon 2024
this September 20-21 in Orlando, FL!

Will you be there?
For virtual and in-person tickets, visit ChosenCon.com.

Reviews of Aurora Theatre’s 'Lifespan of a Fact

Intimate. Intriguing. Insouciant.

An intern at a top magazine is given the assignment of a lifetime – fact-checking a masterpiece by a legendary essayist. What the no-nonsense editor means as a simple task becomes a hilarious misadventure when it becomes clear that most of the facts in the essay are embellished, adjusted, or just made up. The essay is brilliant, but has the essayist undermined his own work or revealed a deeper truth by playing fast and loose to make his point? Facts battle with truth when the intern bucks his instructions and confronts the essayist in this Broadway hit.

This summer, you’ll find Elijah at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley, CA in the role of John D’Agata in ‘The Lifespan of a Fact’. If you can’t attend in person, you don’t have to miss out! You can also purchase tickets for online streamed productions.

‘The Lifespan of a Fact’ continues through July 21 at Aurora Theatre Company, 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. Tickets are $17 to $40 at Auroratheatre.org 

REVIEWS

‘Lifespan of a Fact’ amusingly, pointedly explores the validity of truth.

Elijah Alexander, Carrie Paff and Hernán Angulo are excellent in Aurora Theatre Company’s production of ‘The Lifespan of a Fact’... Elijah Alexander’s John is the sort of truculent, self-satisfied important-writer-person you’d expect—the play soon enough turns serious. “The facts get in the way of the story!’’ roars John, which sounds ridiculous—at first. “I’m not interested in accuracy. I’m interested in truth,” he says.

As “Lifespan” moves on, under Jessica Holt’s astute direction, from funny to provocative to deeply touching, it proves to be insightful and intellectually stimulating, revealing to ourselves bits and pieces of our own confused thought processes. Aurora, with its intimate stage and superb actors and director, is perfectly suited for this kind of play.

Jean Schiffman, Bay City News Reviews

Superb Elijah Alexander plays John, the powerful writer who knows his own worth. He’s bullying, and dominant, and he shoots galaxies of insults at his young antagonist. He explains, condescendingly, that his essay is NOT subject to mere fact checking; and he arrogantly claims to be going for a ‘Bigger Truth.’

Moment by moment, this intriguing work brings surprising confrontations and contradictions. I highly recommend an evening with great actors and a stirring script that pierces to the heart of where we are now.

Barry David Horwitz, Theatrius Reviews

When political leaders speak baldfaced lies with straight faces, fake news often supplants truth. It is, therefore, a pleasure to relish The Lifespan of a Fact, an intelligent and funny play that explores the subject of journalistic integrity.

…imperious and difficult John, acted by an excellent Elijah Alexander (TV’s ‘The Chosen’, Aurora’s 2017 ‘The Real Thing’). …whose self-importance and aversion to having his work critiqued… has chosen his words artistically for the way they sound and the way they read.

…the audience leaves the theater, talking and thinking about all sides of the journalistic challenge while having been thoroughly entertained. I highly recommend The Lifespan of a Fact.

Emily S. Mendel, Berkeleyside

Elijah Alexander as John D’Agata is not just a pompous blowhard, but an artist whose commitment to his work is everything. The defense of his work is not a bullet-pointed presentation but rather a winding story that slowly illuminates the world he inhabits. Alexander does not rush, but carefully allows the audience to discover his perspective in such a way that you might find yourself completely turned around. He’s hot, cold, erudite, stubborn, and always passionate, and Alexander brings him to life beautifully.

Kelly Rogers Flynt, Broadwayworld

---

What’s New and Good?

Happy Holy Summer 2024 and Big Bless!

‘Spring’s Awakening’ found Elijah in Utah filming Season 5 of The Chosen. On hiatus now, shooting will continue through July in Dallas. In addition to this you can find ‘Atticus’ back onstage at the Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley, starring as celebrated essayist John D’Agata in ‘Lifespan of a Fact’ playing through the end of July.  Also, Elijah is honored to have been invited to compete in this year’s Hermosa Beach triathlon in on August 11th - ‘Who Dares, Wins’

Audiobook narration recording for ‘The Muse of Freedom’ by Jules Larimore will start in August, available on Audible in September.

Elijah is now being represented by the amazing team at BRS/GAGE Agency. Good things!

Until next time, love & light!

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”
                                    Seneca

Hermosa Beach Triathlon on August 11th - ‘Who Dares, Wins’

THE CHOSEN TV SERIES

“BEING BAD NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD.” Catch Elijah Alexander once again in the role of the ever-inquisitive Atticus Aemilius, one of the many forces standing against Jesus in Season 4 of The Chosen. Experience the epic drama as it unfolds in theaters starting February 1st. Get your tickets today: fandan.co/TheChosen

Elijah Alexander as Atticus Aemilius in The Chosen.

The chosen: season 4 theatrical trailer

The Chosen Season 4 theatrical trailer.

---

Atticus Aemilius

Catch Elijah as Atticus Aemilius in seasons 2, 3, & 4 of The Chosen. Available to watch on release at The Chosen TV app, Netflix, Prime Video, and Peacock.

Fan-ning the Flames of Spirited Gratitude

“I am truly grateful for my ever expanding new community of brothers and sisters. ‘The Chosen’ worldwide collective has been incredibly supportive, gracious and kind toward me and my contribution to this profoundly important project. Wishing all of you a deeply heartfelt thanks and blessings of continued love & light. ‘A thousand thousand’. Shalom Chaverim.” —Elijah Alexander

ELIJAH IN TIMON OF ATHENS AT THE UTAH SHAKESPEARE FESITIVAL

Elijah Alexander as Timon of Athens.

Elijah returns with glowing reviews in the lead role for Utah Shakespeare Festival’s production of Timon of Athens, running through Oct. 7, 2023. A play for our times, Timon of Athens is clever, satiric, and deeply moving as it explores friendship, wealth, and the foibles of a materialistic society.

Review by Lisa Larson at Iron County Reviews. Read more here for the full review.

“The story opens on a picture of wealth and luxury as Timon of Athens (played by Elijah Alexander) is surrounded by a party of flatterers who are anxious to receive all the money, jewels, and prizes which Timon readily bestows upon his presumed friends. Timon’s generosity seems to know no bounds, and soon he has spent himself into debt; only then does he learn his friends were of the fair-weather variety. When none will come to his aid in his time of financial need, he tricks them all into coming to another feast, and then drives them out of his house amid shouts and curses before fleeing to a voluntary exile in a cave where he meets his ultimate demise.”

“Filling the title role of this production, Alexander commanded the stage with his charm and jovial spirit in the first act, and even more so with his devastation and reviling hatred in the second. His remarkable presence was matched by a cast of incredible talent, each taking their turn in the spotlight, while also moving in harmony to support the rest of the cast.”

“Thankfully, Utah Shakespeare Festival is bringing Timon of Athens out of obscurity in the best way possible — and making it one of the season’s “don’t miss” plays.”

The Utah Shakespeare Festival production of Timon of Athens plays various dates at 2 PM or 8 PM through October 7 at the Anes Studio Theatre on the campus of Southern Utah University. Tickets are $60. For more information, visit bard.org.

---

WHAT'S NEW

STARTING DEC. 22, 2022!

Check out the first episode of eight in Next Chapter’s Play On Podcast serial ‘The Winter’s Tale’ starring Elijah as King Leontes. 

Next Chapter & Play On Podcasts Presents
‘The Winter’s Tale’ by William Shakespeare
Adapted by Tracy Young

Alley Theatre Presents the Historical Drama “Camp David”

“I'm especially excited to welcome back Elijah Alexander who stunned Alley audiences with his powerful performance of Leontes in The Winter's Tale, who will now radically shift gears to play Anwar Sadat." – Rob Melrose

The Alley’s production of Camp David by Texas playwright Lawrence Wright is directed by Public Theater’s Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis 

The Alley Theatre and Artistic Director Rob Melrose will present a new production of Camp David by Texas playwright Lawrence Wright and directed by the Public Theater’s Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis. The Alley’s Associate Producer & Casting Director, Brandon Weinbrenner, will serve as the Assistant Director. Camp David runs February 14 - March 15 in the Neuhaus Theatre. 

In the tumultuous 1970s, Middle East peace seemed nearly as impossible as it does today. Yet during 13 days in 1978, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, with the powerful help of U.S. President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter, hammered out an agreement that inspired the entire world. Wright’s play delivers a tremendously human look at both the hope and the cost of that historic moment. 

“Lawrence Wright is not only a wonderful playwright, he’s one of America’s greatest journalists. This play about the only successful peace treaty in the Mideast since the creation of Israel is revelatory, powerful, and immensely important,” said Oskar Eustis. “I am so proud to be working with Rob Melrose and the Alley in bringing this show to Houston.” 

"Camp David was already an exciting project with Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Lawrence Wright, Tony Award®-winning set designer David Rockwell, and director and American theatre legend Oskar Eustis. Now, by partnering with the casting department at the Public Theater in New York City, we have a stellar cast of actors to realize this important play,” said Rob Melrose. “I'm especially excited to welcome back Elijah Alexander who stunned Alley audiences with his powerful performance of Leontes in The Winter's Tale, who will now radically shift gears to play Anwar Sadat."

Elijah Alexander as Anwar Sadat

The cast includes Elijah Alexander (The Winter’s Tale) as Anwar Sadat, Rebecca Brooksher (The Monster at the Door, Public Theater: Love’s Labour’s Lost) as Rosalynn Carter, and four actors making their Alley debuts: Sam Khazai (Atlantic Theater Company: Tosca Tehran, Flea Theater: Echo & Narciss) as Mohammed Ibrahim Kamel, Jordan Lage (Broadway: Inherit the Wind, Glengarry Glen Ross) as Menachem Begin, Stephen Thorne (Resident Acting Company Member at Trinity Repertory Company: Othello, Little Shop of Horrors) as Jimmy Carter, and Mark Zimmerman (Broadway: Rocky, West Side Story) as Moshe Dayan. 

Camp David’s creative team includes Scenic Design by David Rockwell (Broadway: Kinky Boots, Tony Award®-winner for She Loves Me), Costume Design by Paul Tazewell (Tony Award®-winner for Hamilton), Lighting Design by Xavier Pierce (Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Shakespeare in Love), Sound. 

“…it’s not just reciting history or framing the debate; it’s also showing us how to understand why intractable adversaries might have lowered their guards, gazed at their bitterest enemy and begun to conceive of a way forward.” – Washington Post HOUSTON

Reviews of 'Watch on the Rhine’ at The GUTHRIE

Elijah is currently playing ‘Kurt Muller’ in Watch on the Rhine, which opened to great reviews at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN this month.   Directed by Lisa Peterson, this production is being lauded as "a resonant political thriller” that "issues a clarion call for moral clarity”.   

"In many ways, the Lillian Hellman play sounds like something pulled from today's headlines … People must decide whether to fight for what is right or acquiesce to what is expedient.”
Star Tribune

This co-production is at the Guthrie through November 5th, 2017, and then at the Berkeley Rep from November 30th through January 14, 2018. 

"Elijah Alexander rises above the rest as Kurt. He provides a deeply moving and engrossing portrait of internal conflict, paternal care, human compassion, and political determination. His simultaneously subtle and powerful performance will stick with you long after the curtain drops—it is pitch-perfect from beginning to end. His work anchors the action as it races toward an astounding climax that creates thoughtful, emotional resonance."
How Was The Show

"The standout is Elijah Alexander in his Guthrie debut as Kurt. Alexander is swift, strong, troubled and resolute all at once. His quiet observation of the family drama unfolding before him conveys mountains with just a glance, and his bravado performance at the end does a lovely job of demonstrating the horrifying sacrifices heroes must make in real life. Alexander IS this show's gravitas, and he keeps us all level headed as the plot descends into madness."
Compendium

“… a deeply sorrowful and human performance. Hands twitching with anxiety, this beloved father communicates without histrionics that he's prepared to sacrifice everything for a cause he believes to be just."
City Pages

“... a visceral, somewhat brutish performance by Alexander as Kurt, a character who bears the scars of living up to his ideals. His heavy movements and his silences tell us as much about him as his words."
Star Tribune

"The highlight for me is Guthrie newbie Elijah Alexander, so lovely as Kurt, beautifully portraying the war-torn soldier's wounds as well as his strength. He's a hero to believe in."
Cherry & Spoon

Learn more about the play and watch the trailer in this previous blog post. 

Photos by Dan Norman