Transfigurations--Transgressing Gender in the Bible
A new theater piece written and performed by Peterson Toscano
In this one-person play, theatrical performance activist, Peterson Toscano, unearths transgender Bible characters--those people who do not fit in the gender binary, and who in transgressing and transcending gender, find themselves at the center of some the Bible's most important stories.
Drawing on inspiration from one-on-one interviews with transgender and genderqueer individuals, Peterson weaves their experiences with the stories and lives of transgender, genderqueer and gender-variant people right on the pages of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. Hilarious and deeply moving, Toscano deepens well-known (and lesser-known) Bible stories as he presents an array of characters with an array of genders.
Who are these transgender Bible heroes (and sheroes)? You will just have to see Transfigurations for yourself!
- Over at his blog, Peterson share the creative process behind Transfigurations.
- Have a listen to Peterson interviewed by Mila and Jayna of Trans-Ponder Podcast Episode 19 as he talks about the play and some of the Transgender Bible characters. You can listen through iTunes or directly here.
What are people saying about Peterson Toscano and Transfigurations-Transgressing Gender in the Bible?
Bible-lovers, gender-transgressors of all sorts, people who love justice! Make haste to see Peterson Toscano's play Transfigurations as soon as possible! His biblical exegesis is insightful and accurate, and you will glean a whole new perspective painlessly because of his charming performance.
-Dr. Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, author of Omnigender, co-author of Transgender Journeys. (Seen at Transforming Faith, Diving Gender Conference, Portland, OR, 4 April 2008)
It is a tale sweetly told; a device that delivers unusual insights and interpretations in a manner which compels an audience to listen. It is simply stated, very far from “in your face” and it works beautifully...The performances were beautifully varied, each unique. Each is a reflection of the incredible talent of Toscano and his gift to present a tale with a different, perhaps radical, viewpoint in a way that compels attention. I left with a warm feeling and profound admiration.
-Vincent Astor, Triangle Journal, Memphis, TN
His exegesis is excellent and as a part of his production he describes what led to his portrayals at the end of the play. If you get a chance to see this, it is a MUST GO!
-ShanonB after performance at Transforming Faith, Divining Gender Conference
Whilst I had heard snippets of this play, or precursors to it, the whole thing sent shivers up my spine. It is very different to Peterson's other works, the humour is more subtle although it is still there, but the pace of the story is totally different. It reminded me of the first time I heard him read out Low-Carb Jesus at a meeting. It made me stop in my tracks, made me think and it even made me weep.
This play was beautiful. Centered. Quiet. Honest. Thoughtful. Challenging. Hopeful.
-Anna, London (Seen at the Forum of Lesiban & Gay Christians, St. Albans, England, UK 2 May 2008)
PETERSON! You were so amazing tonight! Thank you again so much for coming to UMass and performing that show for that first time! It was truely amazing! I have just been hearing the best best best things from everyone about it!
-Morgan, event organizer, The Stonewall Center at UMass Amherst
I am not really that religious but the play made me think that some of the characters mentioned in the Bible had to be at the very least gender variant. That the Gospel of Thomas had many stories that could very easily could be seen as being transgender. The play was very enlightening and should at the very least open a dialog about transgenderism in the Bible.-Diana, audience member and blogger
It's really great to see positive interpretations of gender transformations and difference in the biblical scriptures, given the amount of hurtful stuff that can be found out there in the religious world (not to say the non-religious are any nicer as a group). Even as an atheist, I was comfortable sitting in your audience, and not just comfortable - moved and inspired!
-Greg, student at UMass
You officially rocked my f***ing world with your performance tonight, Peterson! Awesome job! Hegai (He-guy) was hilarious, Deborah was spectacular, Miriam was very touching, Joseph was inspiring.... you were just awesome. And the ending *jaw-to-floor*.. INCREDIBLE!!!!
-Elliot, student at UMass and blogger
Earlier in 2007 Peterson previewed some of his Transfigurations' material in England first at Courage UK meeting in London in May and then at the Greenbelt Festival in Cheltenham in August. Here are some of the reactions.
Peterson Toscano was one of Greenbelt’s runaway successes, so much in demand that the organisers managed to find two* extra slots for him after word got round and the queues got longer...Toscano worked through various personae, among them “the Revd Dr Meadows”, preaching on Sodom and Gomorrah, “God in smiting mood”. But the most endearing thing about the show was Toscano speaking in his own person: very likeable, very disarming, and so very, very funny.
...an extra session is squeezed in for Peterson Toscano, a theatrical performance artist who uses comedy to explore difficult issues; he’s proved very popular over the weekend and punters have been turned away in droves from his other appearances. Peterson runs through highlights of his previous play ‘Doin’ Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House’ (a hilarious take on surviving a Christian residential program to save people from homosexuality), and his current one ‘The Re-Education of George W Bush’, as well as his newest ‘Transfiguration’. He has the audience in stitches for the whole hour.
-Helen O'Sullivan writing for eFestsivals.co.uk
This performance will challenge your values, prejudices and misconceptions. Peterson offers an alternative to the one-dimensional view of some of our favourite biblical characters. The vivid mental picture of Joseph in a frock will stay with me whenever I read his story!
-Anna, London
This stuff excites me. I want more. I am hungry for stories that unfold new perspectives that are at once fresh and exciting but make so much sense, that find such a home. These stories give me hope. Hope that God has purpose in us, not despite who we are and the experiences we have, but because of them. Hope that Bible stories are as new as they are old, and that the things I experience are as old as they are new.
Ali, Wakefield, England
No irreligious play or statement has ever offended me before. Jerry Spring The Opera (which portrays Jesus as an adult diaper fetishist saying f*king f**k f**cker about ten million times) didn’t upset me. A kid I saw wearing a “Jesus Is A C**t” t-shirt in the street only made me roll my eyes. So what was it about Transfigurations that gave me the holy creeps?
-Joe from Where the Green Blade Riseth
With sensitivity and compassion, plus a dollop of joyful anarchy, Toscano began to unlayer why Joseph might have been so despised by his brothers. As a Christian lesbian, even I felt thrown off balance to start with, but there was a clear sense amongst the Greenbelt audience that Toscano was once again gently challenging us to examine bible stories many of us have experienced in very fixed ways since childhood.
-Joanna, Wakefield
Combining a wonderful sense of humour with a sharp eye for detail, Peterson Toscano's sketch on Joseph took a fresh and bold approach to one of the best known stories of the Old Testament, managing to make me laugh hard and think harder. His retelling of the story was superbly accomplished and made the experience all the more worthwhile!
-Rob, Southampton
(Peterson Toscano) refers to himself as "a quirky queer Quaker" and presents his shows using multiple characterisations that will have you wiping away tears of laughter followed immediately by quiet tears of compassion. A very thought-provoking and intelligent man.
-UK Canuck, Wales
Want to read an exciting new translation of the New Testament (including the Gospel of Thomas)? Check out John Henson's Good As New! A Radical Retelling of the New Testament
Photo credit: Katja Heinemann
* Actually Greenbelt added one extra section to the two Peterson was already slated to present