About us > Past productions > 2004/05 > The People’s Temple
The People’s Temple
written by leigh fondakowski with greg pierotti, stephen wangh and margo hall
directed by leigh fondakowski
main season | roda theatre
april 15–june 5, 2005
world premiere
Running time: 2 hours and 50 minutes,
including one 15 minute intermission
Berkeley Repertory Theatre is proud to stage the world premiere of The People’s Temple, a theatrical exploration of the roots, the rise and the tragic demise in Jonestown, Guyana of the movement led by the Reverend Jim Jones. The show—which emphasizes moving forward rather than looking back—is directed by Leigh Fondakowski, best known for her work on The Laramie Project, a groundbreaking play that received its West Coast premiere at Berkeley Rep in 2001. As head writer for Laramie, Fondakowski led her collaborators in sculpting interviews with Wyoming residents into a stirring portrait of the effects of hatred on a small town. Her newest work explores the unique mix of radical politics, racial integration and Pentecostal fervor that attracted thousands of followers to Peoples Temple and its leader, Jim Jones.
A tale of faith, community and survival, the show spans 25 years of Temple history—which culminated in 1978 with 914 deaths at the jungle settlement known as Jonestown, the assassination of Congressman Leo J. Ryan and the murders of three journalists. The play weaves together gospel music from the Temple, archival materials and interviews with survivors to create a conversation between the living and the dead. After decades enshrouded in secrecy, the stories of Jonestown survivors are now being told, many for the first time. In its quest to make sense of the inexplicable—and perhaps to find healing in the process—The People’s Temple explores this historic event with a candor only hindsight can provide.
Produced in association with Z Space Studio.
