About the Play
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot examines the court case of the man who betrayed Jesus Christ and his ultimate fate. Set in Purgatory, the play uses lawyers who call for testimonies from Saints, Mother Teresa, Sigmund Freud, and even the Devil himself to recall moments of an imagined childhood in Judas’ defense. Taking place in modern times, this darkly comedic play debates the truth of punishment, redemption, and the nature of free will.
Character Breakdown
Fabiana Aziza Cunningham: The lawyer for the defense. Successful lawyer with strong will.
Yusef El-Fayoumy: The lawyer for the prosecution. Stiff competition for Cunningham.
Satan: A witness. Can be malicious and cruel, but at times, witty and suave. Often lets his anger get the better of him.
Judas: The defense client. Spends majority of play in catatonic daze brought on by the guilt and shame he feels over the sins he committed.
Jesus: Son of God. Attempts to help Judas see that he can change his future. Has a very genuine and loving role.
Judge Littlefield: Judge overseeing the trial. Has short temper and strong set of opinions.
Bailiff: The Court Bailiff
Henrietta Iscariot: A witness. Judas’ mother and believer in the good of her son.
Mother Teresa: Nun called as witness. Character is played as old and deaf.
Simon the Zealot: One of the disciples called as witness.
Caiaphas the Elder: High Priest of the Sanhedrin called as a witness. Handed Christ over the Romans after Judas betrayed him.
Pontius Pilate: A witness. 5th prefect of Judea who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus.
Butch Honeywell: Foreman of the jury. Unsure of his place in Purgatory but displays a more realistic side of betrayal.
Saint Monica: A saint. Large personality and wildly opinionated.
Gloria: Member of jury. Angel who is content with the afterlife and the link between Purgatory and Earth.
Saint Peter: A disciple who shares his story of conversion.
Saint Matthew: A disciple who talks about how Jesus saved him from a life of betraying his people.
Mary Magadelene: Friend of Judas who reminisces about her memories with Jesus and laments Judas’ current situation.
Saint Thomas: A disciple. Also known as “Doubting Thomas” as a result of doubting Christ’s resurrection.
Matthias of Galilee: A child who befriended the 8 year old Judas. Seen in a flashback, he illustrates a loving nature of Judas.
Loretta: Member of the jury, who is currently in a coma.
Yusef El-Fayoumy: The lawyer for the prosecution. Stiff competition for Cunningham.
Satan: A witness. Can be malicious and cruel, but at times, witty and suave. Often lets his anger get the better of him.
Judas: The defense client. Spends majority of play in catatonic daze brought on by the guilt and shame he feels over the sins he committed.
Jesus: Son of God. Attempts to help Judas see that he can change his future. Has a very genuine and loving role.
Judge Littlefield: Judge overseeing the trial. Has short temper and strong set of opinions.
Bailiff: The Court Bailiff
Henrietta Iscariot: A witness. Judas’ mother and believer in the good of her son.
Mother Teresa: Nun called as witness. Character is played as old and deaf.
Simon the Zealot: One of the disciples called as witness.
Caiaphas the Elder: High Priest of the Sanhedrin called as a witness. Handed Christ over the Romans after Judas betrayed him.
Pontius Pilate: A witness. 5th prefect of Judea who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus.
Butch Honeywell: Foreman of the jury. Unsure of his place in Purgatory but displays a more realistic side of betrayal.
Saint Monica: A saint. Large personality and wildly opinionated.
Gloria: Member of jury. Angel who is content with the afterlife and the link between Purgatory and Earth.
Saint Peter: A disciple who shares his story of conversion.
Saint Matthew: A disciple who talks about how Jesus saved him from a life of betraying his people.
Mary Magadelene: Friend of Judas who reminisces about her memories with Jesus and laments Judas’ current situation.
Saint Thomas: A disciple. Also known as “Doubting Thomas” as a result of doubting Christ’s resurrection.
Matthias of Galilee: A child who befriended the 8 year old Judas. Seen in a flashback, he illustrates a loving nature of Judas.
Loretta: Member of the jury, who is currently in a coma.