Arts & Entertainment

'The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, and Count Leo Tolstoy'

Pepperdine University student Stan Parker writes:

Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, and Leo Tolstoy will be bickering amongst themselves for public entertainment this Thursday at Pepperdine University.


It's all part of a nascent play called The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, and Count Leo Tolstoy, written by Scott Carter, executive producer for Real Time with Bill Maher and former stand-up comedian.  Once a firm atheist, Carter suffered a near-death experience in the '80s that woke his spiritual side.

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Not having a strong religious background, Carter began a journey to find his spiritual identity. During this journey, he discovered what three historical greats—Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, and Count Leo Tolstoy—had to say about the life of Jesus.

For more than two decades, Carter worked on this secret side project, trying to believably portray what Tom, Chuck and Leo would say to each other if they were all locked in the same room together and forced to reconcile their views of the Christian messiah.

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The depth of each character shows the thoroughness and intensity of the research Carter has put into making each character true to the men they represent.  

Each character is played by Carter, who raises small pictures of each individual to indicate who is talking.

The reading will take place in the Center for Communication and Business, Room 140. There is no charge for admission, and the parking lot should be open at 7 p.m. The entrance gate attendant should be able to provide directions upon arrival.


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