One of the most controversial books of the Bible will take the form of a one-man show in February at 野狼社区 University.
鈥淢eaningless,鈥� featuring acclaimed actor, director and writer Rodney Brazil, will provide a unique adaptation of Ecclesiastes at 8 p.m. Feb. 17 and 2 p.m. Feb. 18 in OCU鈥檚 Black Box Theatre. Tickets ($20) are available on the Jewish Theatre of Oklahoma . Tickets are free for OCU students, faculty, staff, and trustees. A free sneak peek of the show will take place during OCU鈥檚 University Worship at 1 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel and is available on .
鈥淢eaningless鈥� takes audiences on a journey into the enigmatic world of Ecclesiastes, offering a funny and poignant exploration of life's big questions.
Lisa Wolfe, professor of Hebrew Bible and author of the 2020 commentary Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes), explains that 鈥渇rom the time the Bible was first compiled, Ecclesiastes has been the subject of debate. Does it belong in the collection of sacred texts, or not? The theme-word in Ecclesiastes, traditionally translated 鈥榲anity,鈥� becomes the title of this play in a different translation: 鈥楳eaningless.鈥� Ecclesiastes, with Brazil as its avatar, pointedly asks whether there is meaning in God, life, death and pleasure. The answers lie with the audience, and each person brings their own perspective to the questions.鈥�
The production will take place thanks to a partnership between and the OCU Wimberly School of Religion鈥檚 Neustadt Lecture series.
Brazil has crafted a stage adaptation that goes beyond the scholarly discussions of text-critical issues and historical context. Instead, 鈥淢eaningless鈥� immerses the audience in the mysterious beauty of the harshly realistic ancient text.
Since 2022, 鈥淢eaningless鈥� has been touring across the U.S., including stops in Atlanta, Denver, Kansas City, Omaha, Salt Lake City and Fort Worth, as well as an off-off-Broadway engagement as part of the 2023 FRIGID New York City Fringe Festival.
Brazil has appeared in several productions at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, including 鈥淟yric鈥檚 A Christmas Carol,鈥� 鈥淔rost/Nixon鈥� and 鈥淭he Rocky Horror Show.鈥� He has also acted in 鈥淟ittle Me鈥� at OKC Rep and in plays like 鈥淭he Divine Sister,鈥� 鈥淎rsenic & Old Lace鈥� and 鈥淧sycho Beach Party鈥� at The Boom.
As a director, Brazil co-founded Next Stage, a theater group based in 野狼社区. Its initiative focuses on developing new plays and supporting the local theater community.
