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    Dead Man Walking

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    City Lights Theater Company

    January 21-February 21, 2010

    Avg. Event Rating (4.0 Stars): 4 out of 5 stars rating Add Review/Comment

    Acting as spiritual advisor for Matthew Poncelet, a rapist and murderer condemned to death, Sister Helen Prejean finds herself drawn into a struggle to save not only his life, but his soul. As the killer's time grows short, Sister Helen realizes that there is only one way she can free him - by making him face the truth of what happened the night his victims died. Tim Robbins' gripping adaption of the Academy Award-winning film, courtesy of the Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project, forces us to reconsider what justice really looks like, and what it means to find redemption.

    • Ticket Info

      Tickets: $15-$40

      Info Phone: 408-295-4200

      Buy tickets

    • Dates & Times

      Dates:
      January 21-February 21, 2010

      Times:
      Thurs-Sat: 8pm
      Sun: 2pm or 7pm

    • Venue Info

      City Lights Theater

      529 S. 2nd Street San Jose, CA 95112

      Full map and directions

    • Accessibility Info
      • Wheelchair Access

    • NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However it's a good idea to visit the official website or call the venue to verify the information.

    • Image Gallery

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    • Member Reviews

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      • Event Name: Dead Man Walking
        2 out of 5 stars rating "Deadman"
        Review posted by: J & H from San Jose, Feb 17, 2010

        We saw the show on a Saturday and were very disappointed. We thought that the blocking was interesting, but that was about it. The actor playing Mathew seemed to be an imitation of Penn's performance.... Expand

        We saw the show on a Saturday and were very disappointed. We thought that the blocking was interesting, but that was about it. The actor playing Mathew seemed to be an imitation of Penn's performance. And a poor one at that. The play came across as preachy and we didn't have any sympathy for Mathew. When he said he'd been in jail for six years, it didn't ring true at all. It seemed thay lines were being said for no reason at all. There were however some good performances from some of the minor characters. The play was also too long. Collapse

      • Event Name: Dead Man Walking
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Great show, Best I've ever seen at CityLights."
        Review posted by: LisaB from San Jose CA, Feb 13, 2010

        Great show, Best I've ever seen at CityLights.

        Great show, Best I've ever seen at CityLights.

      • Event Name: Dead Man Walking
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Do not miss this great production!"
        Review posted by: Nicole from San Jose, CA, Feb 11, 2010

        The scrip is very powerful and the cast carries it beautifully. The emotions are real. I exited the play thinking that the actors had really lived the situation. If you are not sure of your position... Expand

        The scrip is very powerful and the cast carries it beautifully. The emotions are real. I exited the play thinking that the actors had really lived the situation. If you are not sure of your position regarding the death penalty, you owe it to yourself to see this play. It is very powerful! City Lights has outdone themselves one more time... Collapse

      • Event Name: Dead Man Walking
        "This show is about so much more than the death penalty"
        Comment posted by: J.A. from Mountain View, CA USA, Feb 11, 2010

        This play is worth your time and money even if you already saw the movie and you aren't particularly interested in the politics of the death penalty . The writing, directing, acting, and set design... Expand

        This play is worth your time and money even if you already saw the movie and you aren't particularly interested in the politics of the death penalty . The writing, directing, acting, and set design are strong. You can't go wrong with a powerful story that is well told. I was flooded with memories, feelings, ideas, and questions about spirituality, religion, justice, crime, grief, shame, blame, personal responsibility, community, intimacy, loss, power, fear, forgiveness, healing, growth, acceptance, repentance, guilt, culpability, compassion, change... Prior to seeing the play I had an opinion about the death penalty. I thought some people deserved it. And now? The story swallowed up my opinion and spit out big questions about what it means to be human. Collapse

      • Event Name: Dead Man Walking
        4 out of 5 stars rating "The best thing I have seen at City Lights"
        Review posted by: Walter M. Mayes from San Francisco, CA, Jan 28, 2010

        The staging is fluid and thoughtful--you can tell a choreographer directed. The set, while beautifully utilized, is NOISY, undercutting Amanda Folena's strong direction. Dialects were rarely from... Expand

        The staging is fluid and thoughtful--you can tell a choreographer directed. The set, while beautifully utilized, is NOISY, undercutting Amanda Folena's strong direction. Dialects were rarely from Louisiana. Lisa Mallette does a fine job with a demanding role. Her best moments tend to emerge from nonverbal choices, with thoughtful pauses, gestures, and facial expressions that help us comprehend the spiritual journey of Sister Helen Prejean. Thomas Gorrebeeck's matinee idol looks and smile serve to underscore Poncelet's smooth, cool lies in early scenes with Sister Helen, making him dangerously sympathetic. But as his soul is stripped bare and as his myriad of ugly, racist tattoos are revealed, it becomes clear to the audience the wisdom of the actor and director's choices. There were several standout performances, including Karen DeHart as Poncelet's anguished mother; David Madwin as a murder victim; Michael Riley as his grieving father; Anne Younan as his seething, silent mother. Collapse

      • Event Name: Dead Man Walking
        4 out of 5 stars rating "Who's Side Are You On?"
        Review posted by: Susannah from San Jose, Ca, Jan 22, 2010

        This "tough act to follow" was well received by a sizable audience for the preview and the production value as well as the challenging play choice is quintessential City Lights. This play which you... Expand

        This "tough act to follow" was well received by a sizable audience for the preview and the production value as well as the challenging play choice is quintessential City Lights. This play which you may know starred Sean Penn and Susan Surrandon in the film version is a piece whose heavy dialouge comes quick and heavy at you. Don't blink and be ready. Legal Rhetoric, religious reference, empassioned poetic monologues, and many instances of multiple actors speaking andor moving at the same time make this a play to pay attention to beyond it's "controvertial" topic. There is a surprising amount of humor throughout as well, and those were some of the best moments I thought. Solid acting, nice fluid, consistent staging through a simple but functional and ambient set made this a play I was surprised I liked as much as I did. Get there early for a preshow drink and the center seats. On a cold night, this intimate theatre can get cold, so bring layers to be most comfortable. Collapse

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      • City Center Motel - 45 E Reed St, San Jose, CA 95112
      • San Jose Marriott - 301 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113

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