Curious Theater Celebrates 25 Years With Controversial Play

Curious Theater is turning 25, and with that have decided to uphold the “No Guts, No Story” motto with the groundbreaking play Heroes of the Fourth Turning.

Heroes of the Fourth Turning, a play created by Will Arbery, described as both “haunting” and “graceful” follows a discussion between a group of young intellectuals, bright graduates from a local Catholic college as they celebrate one of their mothers’ achievements. The discussion turns from their mentor to their politics and religion, creating a vulnerable humanity in people that are demonized for their beliefs, such as Catholics and conservatives. The play creates a discussion around the polarization of political beliefs, where the “American experience” turns sour and leaves a bitter taste in our mouths.

The lead director, Kent Thompson, says that, “This language in theater is unusual.” He is correct, but he is not wrong in saying that Curious Theater deals in “discussive work” as well, as their past productions have also been thought provoking with plays such as The Lifespan of a Fact, a delve into the minds and lives of the creative and neurotic. The unusual language in Heroes only lends credence to the humanity argument that the play creates around itself. No one is less of a person, regardless of their beliefs. It may even be that humanity that creates such controversial beliefs in people.

Artistic Producer Christy Montour-Larson defines curious theater as “contemporary and provocative,” and describes the play itself as an “exploration in empathy.” As humans, we tend to fear the things we don’t understand, and that fear becomes hatred rather quickly. Heroes of the Fourth Turning attempts to challenge that reaction with mindful grace within a simple discussion around a fire between a well spoken group with a deep understanding of the Bible and classical literature.

Tickets to experience Heroes of the Fourth Turning can be purchased on Curious Theater’s website,