Tower Theater presents the morality tale ‘Everyman’

Liberty University’s Department of Theatre Arts brings a modern-day adaptation of the 16th Century play “Everyman” to the Tower Theater beginning tonight and running through March 22.

Considered to be one of the oldest morality plays of all time, “Everyman” focuses on the solemn moment when a man is told that his death is imminent. The hour-long play, presented in an allegorical style, follows Everyman’s journey to redemption.

“Everyman is a play with a timeless message, and everyone knows that death will come one day, but this play will cause the audience to come face-to-face with the best way to approach that inevitability,” said Chris Nelson, the play’s director.

Nelson, who has directed 10 Liberty productions over seven years, said that his adaptation of “Everyman” will use the whole theater and will be performed using only a few words.

“Our adaptation will speak directly to today’s audiences and that is the most important part,” Nelson said. “I have kept in a few words, but the story is mostly told through other theatrical elements. I have also taken some liberty to present some of the spiritual warfare during the lonely moments of Everyman’s journey, in line with much of what the Middle Ages thought concerning warfare during the death process.”

Senior McKenzie Connell, who plays a minion leader, said the play is about the Gospel and shows how man relates to God.

“My character is important to the show because I represent, along with other minions, the face of evil and how subtle the attacks of Satan can be,” she said.

• “Everyman” runs March 19-22 with six performances. Showtimes and tickets are available through the Tower Theater website or by calling the Liberty Ticket Office at (434) 582-7328.