"Prodigal Son" - by John Patrick Shanley - City on a Hill Arts (Leominster, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: Benjamin Wilder as “Jim Quinn” in a scene from John Patrick Shanley's "PRODIGAL SON" from City on a Hill Arts now playing in Leominster, MA. through November 14, 2026. Photo Credit: Debbie Moylan)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“I always had a book. I was fifteen. Do you remember fifteen? For me, it was a special, beautiful room in Hell."
- ("Jim Quinn") / John Patrick Shanley
City on a Hill Arts
Presents John Patrick Shanley's
"PRODIGAL SON"
Written by John Patrick Shanley
Directed by Andrew DeSisto
Cast Includes: Benjamin Wilder as “Jim Quinn,” David Foster as “Carl Schmitt,” Christopher Lockheardt as “Alan Hoffman,” Chelsey Patriss as “Louise Schmitt,” Collin Patriss as “Austin.”
Additional Creative Team:
Producer and Set Design - Debbie Moylan; Stage Manager and Props - Corine Farnsworth; Assistant Stage Manager - Charles Amaral; Costume Design - Val Schillawski; Lighting Design - Matthew Valeri; Graphics - David Allen Prescott; Marketing - Bethany Johnson.
Performances:
November 7, 2026 through November 14, 2026
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
Performances held at Congregation Agudat Achim, 268 Washington Street, Leominster, MA. 01453
TICKETS:
Free admission with donations welcome
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COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
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(Note: The following review is of a final dress rehearsal)
(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
Just in time for Thanksgiving, City on a Hill Arts (COH) returns with the tale of a "PRODIGAL SON" - but not the one you might be expecting.
This is the semi-autobiographical play "PRODIGAL SON" which was written by John Patrick Shanley and made its Off-Broadway debut in 2016.
Shanley is renowned for his other works including “DOUBT: A PARABLE” and "OUTSIDE MULLINGAR" both previously reviewed by METRMag.
Among his numerous accolades, Shanley is recipient of the Academy Award, Writers Guild of America Award, Drama Desk Award, Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
With "PRODIGAL SON," judiciously directed for COH by Andrew DeSisto, the title serves as a direct allegorical framework that reframes a teenager's contemporary rebellious period at school through the lens of the biblical parable.
It is also an autobiographical memory play set in mid-1960s New Hampshire at the Thomas More Preparatory School.
In "PRODIGAL SON," we are introduced to Jim Quinn (Ben Wilder), a brilliant albeit rebellious Bronx teen who is awarded a scholarship to attend the school but, as the play unfolds, soon causes all kinds of trouble.
Quinn writes intently "questionable" secular poetry, and frequently clashes with school authority, constantly nearing expulsion in every interaction between himself and the school’s devoutly Catholic and rigid, conservative headmaster Carl Schmitt (David Foster).
As Schmitt, Foster gives a fine, measured performance as the institutional counterpoint and authority figure to Quinn, symbolizing the clash between strict discipline and unrestrained, rebellious individuality.
(Photo: Chelsey Patriss as “Louise Schmitt” with David Foster as “Carl Schmitt” in a scene from John Patrick Shanley's "PRODIGAL SON" from City on a Hill Arts now playing in Leominster, MA. through November 14, 2026. Photo Credit: Debbie Moylan)
In an obsessive search for his own meaning, iconoclast Quinn (presumably representing Shanley as a 15-year-old) teeters on the edge of either his utter self-destruction or salvation.
Wilder gives an intensely focused, completely immersive rendering of the struggling, riotous Bronx street kid whose self-taught intellect and passion for literature and poetry epitomizes the collision of delinquency and genius.
Quinn, through his interactions with others in the 90-minute play, embodies a walking contradiction.
While intelligent, passionate and resilient, Quinn is also adversarial, rule-breaking and rebellious, which he displays in his interactions with classmate Austin (Collin Patriss), an academic "nerd."
Collin Patriss gives a solid portrayal of the analytical Austin who, in sharp contrast to Quinn, abides by the rules and is far more structurally grounded.
Austin’s traditional approach to academics juxtaposes Quinn’s aggressive philosophical lecturing, ultimately showing how isolated Quinn feels.
(Photo: Collin Patriss as “Austin” with Benjamin Wilder as “Jim Quinn” in a scene from John Patrick Shanley's "PRODIGAL SON" from City on a Hill Arts now playing in Leominster, MA. through November 14, 2026. Photo Credit: Debbie Moylan)
Quinn cannot even take part in a multiple choice exam as he questions the validity of all choices being offered.
Quinn is essentially feeling trapped by his own radical ideals, desperately seeking a philosopher counterpart for Socratic dialogue, an area in which Austin (along with any other classmate) comes up short.
If this is a fairly accurate representation of how Shanley himself was in school, it might be difficult to muster up much sympathy for the author, but thanks to DeSisto's direction and some exceptional acting choices made by Wilder, we do.
Although exceptionally bright, Quinn’s internal rage leads him to steal, drink and bully classmates – compelling the headmaster, demanding conformity and moral order from students and staff, to consider Quinn’s admission a mistake and repeatedly considers expulsion.
The set design is accommodating but, while this review is of a final dress rehearsal, the scene changes were still a bit belabored and lethargic at times, with some inconsistent lighting putting some of the actors in darkness.
The above does, however, force the actors to raise their game and they do so quite effectively.
(Photo: Benjamin Wilder as “Jim Quinn” with Christopher Lockheardt as “Alan Hoffman” in a scene from John Patrick Shanley's "PRODIGAL SON" from City on a Hill Arts now playing in Leominster, MA. through November 14, 2026. Photo Credit: Debbie Moylan)
Shanley’s "PRODIGAL SON" is a unique twist on the allegory of “hammer into anvil” as here we witness raw genius hammering away at convention and institutional authority.
Quinn’s allies are few but one such supporter is English teacher Alan Hoffman (Chris Lockheardt), who becomes a mentor for Quinn, encouraging his intellectual and poetic potential.
As Hoffman, Lockheardt, especially in his exchanges with Wilder as Quinn, gives a compelling performance as the seemingly kind ally who (spoiler alert) betrays Quinn’s trust, representing how Schmitt’s revered institution is morally compromised from within.
Quinn’s only other ally is the headmaster’s wife, Louise (Chelsey Patriss) who unexpectedly becomes a vital emotional anchor for and protector of Quinn.
As Louise, Chelsey Patriss gives an emotionally subdued performance as the one person who recognizes not only Quinn's intellect but his heart, as evidenced by their exchanges regarding poetry and life.
However, while wanting to be more helpful to the boy, especially in his times if distress, this puts her in direct conflict with her husband, thus making for some awkward exchanges at the dinner table.
Louise does become protective of Quinn, though, much to the chagrin of her husband, but their opposing views of the boy may have a connection to shared grief neither wants to discuss.
(Photo: Benjamin Wilder as “Jim Quinn” in a scene from John Patrick Shanley's "PRODIGAL SON" from City on a Hill Arts now playing in Leominster, MA. through November 14, 2026. Photo Credit: Debbie Moylan)
As we continue to watch the downward spiral of Quinn’s intellectual alienation, erratic emotional instability and social isolation, Wilder’s portrayal as this unique "PRODIGAL SON" never relents nor diminishes, always consistently remaining in control of the character.
A simply marvelous performance and one making this show well worth seeing.
John Patrick Shanley's "PRODIGAL SON" from City on a Hill Arts continues at Congregation Agudat Achim in Leominster until November 14th, 2026.
For tickets and more information, contact City on a Hill Arts at # 978-906-5081, via email at director@cityonahillarts.org or visit www.cityonahillarts.org
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Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
In John Patrick Shanley's "PRODIGAL SON" - From the Oscar, Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Doubt" and "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea" comes a highly personal, explosive, and portrait-like drama.
John Patrick Shanley's "PRODIGAL SON" is a passionate, semi-autobiographical depiction of a young man on the razor-thin edge between salvation and destruction.
Set in the mid-1960s, the story follows Jim, a working-class Irish-Catholic teenager from the Bronx who is given a scholarship to a prestigious, elite boys' preparatory school in New Hampshire.
Gifted, poetic, and fiercely intelligent, Jim is also intensely alienated, violent, and battling a profound loneliness.
As his self-destructive behavior tests the limits of the school's strict rules, two faculty members and the headmaster find themselves caught in a high-stakes debate: is this brilliant, rebellious young man a rising star to be nurtured, or a disaster waiting to happen?
ABOUT CITY ON A HILL ARTS
CITY ON A HILL (COH) produces works of art that explore the intersection of faith, spirituality, and culture, fostering in each of us a more just and loving response.
70 Foster Road
Ashby, MA. 01431
# 978-906-5081
