The Gospel According to...Stephen Stout

Name: Stephen Stout

Hometown: Haddonfield, NJ

Education: NYU/Tisch

Who do you play in The Mysteries?: Peter "The Rock"/Simon Peter/that one guy who does that denying three times thing and inadvertently founds Catholicism.

Tell us about The Mysteries: The Mysteries is an epic re-imagining of the York cycle of Mystery plays as told by some of America's most spectacular playwrights and filtered through the mad-genius brain of Mr. Ed Iskandar. With dinner and dessert. And performed by a small town.

Describe The Mysteries in three words: All. The. Plays.

What's the wildest costume you wear in The Mysteries?: Probably my baptism onesie. I get off easy this go round since I had all the insane costumes in Restoration Comedy last year. It's not wild but my fisherman's hat is practically an appendage at this point. Loren Shaw is my favorite.

If you could be anyone from The Bible, who would you be?: I've been Satan twice in the past few years and God once. Both were fun/terrifying. Nice to be a flawed human this go round.

Which company member is most likely to actually have lived during Biblical times?: Kyle Hines. He is immortal. And basically a mountain.

Which company member is most likely to be the Messiah?: Do I have to jump on the Colin bandwagon? I guess I must.

Most likely to become an angel?: I have good feelings about the salvation of most of the company (then again, I don't know where the bodies are buried).

Most likely to hear voices in their head?: If you watch Sam Garber for long enough, I think you'd have suspicions.

Who's the most spiritual?: I've seen Alex Gould glowing a few times backstage but that could just mean he's irradiated.

On the 8th day god said_____: We have $35 rush tickets available at 5:30pm. You should buy one.

Are you going to heaven or hell?: Oh man...I was raised Jewish/Catholic/Mormon...so I have all sorts of conflicting feelings...and I'm in the arts...so...

Which of the Seven Deadly Sins are you?: Is anxiety one?

What's the biggest inside joke at The Mysteries?: It's the rare show were you can say to someone "It's going great! We cut 3 1/2 hours of play in the last week" and they don't stare at you like a crazy person.

What's your favorite moment from The Mysteries?: I don't want to spoil it but there's a bit with the Apostles toward the end that is the most exhilarating/heartbreaking 3 1/2 minutes of the entire night for me.

What is the most rewarding part about being a member of The Mysteries?: Being a part of an army of artists giving a maximalist evening of entertainment to 60 odd strangers on a nightly basis. It's an honor and a privilege to entertain/move an audience for 6 hours. Then again I'm one of the insane ones who will just sign on to whatever Ed's doing because I know it's going to be the theatrical highlight of my year. Also, I have a sweet member's only jacket so that's something.

Why should we come see The Mysteries?: You'll have an experience you won't soon forget forged by some of the best creative minds working in theater in the US. Also, the food's great and the company ain't bad either.