The canceled Tarleton State University student production of Terrence McNally’s play, Corpus Christi, will be staged at Fort Worth’s Rose Marine Theatre. But no date has been set.

The play has been controversial since its 1998 New York debut  because of its portrayal of a Jesus-like character named Joshua who is gay. Texas lieutenant governor David Dewhurst condemned student director John Jordon Otte’s production at TSU as a “lewd display,” and TSU officials shut it down before it could be performed.

The Dallas Morning News reports that the Rose Marine’s executive director Adam Adolfo is offering the theater free of charge to the students.

“It is not for everyone, and I freely recognize that,” he said of the play. “It is difficult for some people to digest, but that does not deny its value” . . .

Adolfo said one of his motivations was to ensure that the students’ work not be buried because of the criticism.

“This is about censorship,” he said. “I would show this support if it were any number of things. It’s not about gay, it’s not about religion. It’s about censorship.”

He said he expects some criticism but predicts the arts community in Dallas-Fort Worth will be welcoming to the students.

Theater Jones video interview with Otte is here.