Elmer Gantry at Signature Theatre

Elmer Gantry

Signature Theatre
4200 Campbell Avenue Arlington

Fiery and passionate, with a rich blues, folk and gospel-infused score, Elmer Gantry brings the evangelical charlatan of Sinclair Lewis' satirical novel to life in an adventurous new reimagining. The charismatic, but completely broke, salesman Elmer Gantry stumbles upon a struggling religious tour, led by pious evangelist Sister Sharon Falconer. Falling for Falconer, Gantry joins the troupe as a preacher and, with a little showmanship and theatrics, transforms the revival into the hottest ticket in town. However, inspired by Falconer's earnestness and his reawakened spirit, Gantry inserts one spectacle too many and risks blowing up the entire operation.

Thru - Nov 9, 2014

Price: $29 - $80

Running Time: 2 Hrs, 25 mins;one intermission

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Elmer Gantry Reviews

Average Rating based on 6 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Washington Post - Somewhat Recommended

"...Where it runs into some turbulence — and despite the best efforts of everyone involved in director Eric Schaeffer’s accomplished production, it eventually does — is in its earthiest realm. The driving motivation of its title character, a slick Prohibition-era preacher who turns garden-variety revival meetings into show-stoppers, shifts so abruptly late in the proceedings that some amount of the musical’s credibility is frittered away. After a night of terrific harmonizing, the show at the last minute seems to lose its voice."

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- Peter Marks

DC Theater Arts - Highly Recommended

"...“I have principles. I just don’t let them get in the way of what I want.” That’s how Elmer Gantry—a charismatic preacher-salesman-womanizer summarizes himself. But, he falls for Sister Sharon Falconer, an idealistic religious fanatic who has a flaw, too. She wants to be famous and doesn’t care what she has to do to accomplish that."

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- Paul M. Bessel And Barbara Braswell

Washington City Paper - Recommended

"...Signature leader Eric Schaeffer directed Gantry once before, in 1998, but this update has the considerable asset of Charlie Pollock, an honest-to-God former pastor for a New Jersey church, in the title role. Burt Lancaster was the star who played Elmer onscreen, but Pollock’s slinky athleticism and his seductive way of down-tuning the last word of a line make it feel like Matthew McConaughey’s part. You wish he didn’t have to get saved."

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- Chris Klimek

Washingtonian - Recommended

"...The charismatic real-life evangelist has been the inspiration for not one, but two musicals staged at Signature Theatre. First, there was Saving Aimee, Kathy Lee Gifford’s problematic musical about the controversial historical figure, which had its world premiere there in 2007 and briefly found new life on Broadway as Scandalous in 2012. Now there’s Elmer Gantry, which again tells the story of a flawed but magnetic female preacher—and the titular huckster who finds himself entwined with her."

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- Missy Frederick

MD Theatre Guide - Recommended

"...Director Eric Schaeffer has offered up a tight, energetic tale with a strong score and a fascinating clash of personalities. Both know who they are, and think they know what they want. Watching the excitement of success turn to passion for both is a visceral part of the show. The good book is put aside as these good lookn’ people have their way."

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- Brian Bochicchio

DCTheatreScene - Recommended

Religion teaches us patience, whether in waiting for the Redeemer or for personal salvation. Bring some of that virtue to Elmer Gantry, which I recommend you see. The first Act is easy to take, if a little light; and the second Act packs a real wallop, which will make it worth your time.

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- Tim Treanor

Elmer Gantry Photo Gallery

Elmer Gantry at Signature Theatre

Elmer Gantry

Elmer Gantry Reviews

Washington Post - Somewhat Recommended

DC Theater Arts - Highly Recommended

Washington City Paper - Recommended

Washingtonian - Recommended

MD Theatre Guide - Recommended

DCTheatreScene - Recommended

Elmer Gantry Photo Gallery

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