10/19/2026
Tom Penna plays Judas and John the Baptist, and he returned to the stage for the first time since 1999. He joined St. Matthew’s in January 2024 and holds a Master of Theological Studies degree. Reflecting on playing Judas and the message of the play, Penna shared:
"Specifically playing Judas, I have gotten a better sort of awareness of just how disappointed Judas was in Jesus. Just like John the Baptist, Judas was expecting Jesus to be this revolutionary, and of course Jesus was a revolutionary, but Judas I think, wanted something less ephemeral, more political.
Judas reminds me that, regardless of who’s in office, regardless of who’s in power, regardless of which Babylon it is that you live in, Christ’s call is to love people and to create with God a world that values reconciliation over power."
Read more in "Day by Day: Godspell Brings Joy and Newcomers to St. Matt’s" here: https://episcopalatlanta.org/featured/godspell-brings-joy-newcomers-st-matts/