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Looking to see A.D. 16 live and in-person? Go here.

Winner of the Edgerton Foundation New Play Award

What if your first crush really was perfect? From the comic genius of Cinco Paul (Despicable Me and the musical hit of the summer Schmigadoon) and Bekah Brunstetter (This Is Us) comes the delightfully witty, sublimely inspiring story of teenaged Mary Magdalene, who falls in love with the carpenter’s son next door… who happens to be a kid named Jesus. In her quest to impress him, Mary has to fend off a trio of 1st-Century Mean Girls and a bunch of Beastie Boys-inspired wiseguys from the Sanhedrin. She learns that getting Jesus to love you back is both easier – and harder – than she ever imagined.  With a lush R&B score and a riotous cast of characters, A.D. 16 achieves the rare feat of being both funny and sincere. A thrilling and fun musical for people of all faiths, or no faith at all.

Starring Phoenix Best (Dear Evan Hansen) as Mary and Ben Fankhauser (Disney's Newsies) as Jesus

Scenic Designer Walt Spangler • Costume Designer Emilio Sosa • Lighting Designer Colin K. Bills • Sound Designer Matt Rowe • Wig Designer Anne Nesmith • Dramaturg Alissa Klusky • Production Stage Manager Karen Currie

View our paperless program.

Streaming FAQS

  • What am I buying when I purchase?

    • Once purchased, you will have 24 hours from the time of purchase to view A.D. 16 on your Olney Theatre account. If you purchase the video at noon on Wednesday, March 16 you will have until noon on March 17 to complete your viewing.
  • Do I need an Olney Theatre account?
    • Yes. You must use the same account/password you used to purchase the video in order to view the video. Guest checkout will not be available. 
  • Can I view the video on my television?
    • Probably, but it depends on your setup. We've provided instructions here.
  • Can I share my account and password with a friend?
    • No. That is a violation of our terms of sale. Such violations may result in the loss of your account, but more vitally, it endangers our ability to provide services like this in the future.

Presented in association with Sloane Productions, LLC

Book by
Bekah Brunstetter

Music & Lyrics by
Cinco Paul

Story by
Cinco Paul

Director
Stephen Brackett

Choreographer
Katie Spelman

Music Director
Christopher Youstra

Orchestrations/Music Supervisor
Doug Besterman

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Video: A.D. 16 Trailer

VIDEO: Love Thy Neighbor

VIDEO: Bible Girl Power

VIDEO: "PERFECT" FROM A.D. 16

  • Phoenix Best

    Mary
  • Kelli Blackwell

    Diana/Ensemble
  • Alex De Bard

    Ensemble
  • Ben Fankhauser

    Jesus
  • Alan H. Green

    Jacob
  • Sylvern Groomes Jr.

    Ensemble/US: Jacob
  • Jade Jones

    Jessica
  • Jared Loftin

    Nicholas
  • Calvin McCullough

    Matthias
  • James Mernin

    Swing
  • Adelina Mitchell

    Ruth
  • Christian Montgomery

    Bartimaeus
  • Da'Von Moody

    Simeon
  • RJ Pavel

    Ensemble
  • Tiffany Lyn Royster

    Swing
  • Candice Shedd-Thompson

    Swing
  • John Sygar

    Ensemble
  • Chris Urquiaga

    Swing
  • Chani Wereley

    Esther
  • Kanysha Williams

    Ensemble
  • Colin K. Bills

    Lighting Designer
  • Stephen Brackett

    Director
  • Bekah Brunstetter

    Book
  • Karen Currie

    Production Stage Manager
  • Anne Nesmith

    Wig Designer
  • Cinco Paul

    Music, Lyrics and Story
  • Matt Rowe

    Sound Designer
  • Emilio Sosa

    Costume Designer
  • Walt Spangler

    Scenic Designer
  • Katie Spelman

    Choreographer
  • Christopher Youstra

    Music Director

In the Press

  • The Washington Post: Review - Saints be praised: Mary Magdalene and Jesus are meet-cute Nazareth teens in a hilarious ‘A.D. 16’
  • The Washington Post: The road to ‘A.D. 16,’ Olney Theatre’s musical about a teenage Mary Magdalene in love with Jesus (Preview)
  • WTOP: 'Schmigadoon!' creator and 'This Is Us' writer team for 'A.D. 16' at Olney Theatre Center (Preview)
  • DC Metro Theater Arts: Olney’s new musical ‘A.D. 16’ entertains immensely (Review)
  • MD Theatre Guide: Review: ‘A.D. 16’ at Olney Theatre Center
  • DC Metro Theater Arts: Exegesis of a sexy Jesus: A look at love in ‘A.D. 16’
  • OUTSpoken: Satirical, Soulful ‘A.D. 16’ Premieres at Olney
  • Talkin' Broadway: Regional Reviews - Washington, D.C. "A.D. 16"
  • BroadwayWorld Review: A.D. 16 at Olney Theatre Center

Learn more on the blog

We're constantly adding new posts, videos, and photos to our blog about our shows that take you deeper into the content, behind the scenes with the artists, and invite your feedback. Follow us on Facebook to be updated when new posts go live.

A Parent's Guide to A.D. 16

Behind the Scenes Events

  • Women and the Gospels

    Saturday, February 19, 2022
    6:00 - 7:00 pm
    Free with RSVP
    Also available via Livestream

    Behind the Scenes brings together a powerhouse panel of Biblical scholars to discuss the intersection of gender, culture, and faith through the portrayal of women in the Hebrew and Christian Bible. 

    Speakers: Reverend Diane Dixon-Proctor (Sharp Street United Methodist Church), Dr. Annalisa Buttici (Georgetown University), and Cantor Stephanie Weishaar (Kol Nefesh).

  • Prior to opening night, Jason Loewith sat down with creators A.D.16., Cinco Paul (Lyrics and Music) and Bekah Brunstetter (Book) to talk about the process of creating their new musical.

    Watch the recording of the livestream.

Production Sponsorship

  • This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Supported in part by the Frank Young Fund for New Musicals, a program of National Alliance for Musical Theatre, with funding from The Hollywood Pantages, a Nederlander Organization - namt.org.

Health and Safety

We ask that if you are experiencing symptoms, please stay home. Use this CDC symptom checklist to see if you need to quarantine or get tested.

MASKS & PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION

Masks and proof of COVID vaccination are required to attend for all patrons. Exemptions may be made for those who are not vaccinated, such as children under 5, people with certain medical conditions preventing vaccination, or those with closely held religious beliefs. These patrons must provide proof of a timely negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours or a rapid antigen test taken within six hours of showtime. Feel free to email info@olneytheatre.org with questions.

This policy will remain in effect for the remainder of the run of A.D. 16. Any changes will be announced following the run at the end of March. 

Along with a photo ID, please be prepared to show one of the following proofs of vaccination:

  • You may present either your original vaccine card, a legible digital or hard copy
  • You may present one of the commonly used vaccine passport apps that verify both your vaccination status and i.d. such as Health PassBindleVaxYes
  • Digital vaccination cards through your home Health Department (check with your state/county’s Health Department if not listed here): MarylandDCVirginia

Visit our Health and Safety page for our latest policies to keep you safe as we return to the stage!

A.D. 16 - View at Home

March 16 - March 20 2022

Box Office: 301.924.3400

Open Wednesday - Sunday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

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