Photo by Andy Knef

Who knows more about faith: an older priest who's led his flock for decades or a young seminarian who's desperate to become a priest? Wisdom and experience versus a fresh perspective; comfort and complacency versus the arrogance of youth: there's the crux of the conflict in Bill C. Davis' Mass Appeal.

Beloved parish priest Father Farley (Alan Knoll, relishing the role of a man with feet of clay) agrees to help a student (Dylan Duke, as earnest as they come) who is in danger of being kicked out of the seminary because of his fervor for unvarnished truth, regardless of the consequences. The two men clash, disagree, frustrate each other, and, in the end, risk everything to help each other.

The story deals with religious faith, but it's also about faith in humanity here on earth. What do we owe each other? When is kindness really cruelty, and when is cruelty actually kindness? Is there such thing as a harmless lie, even if you think you're lying to help someone? It's serious stuff, handled delicately by director Deanna Jent (artistic director of Mustardseed Theatre), but mixed in with the solemnity are some welcome laughs.

Mass Appeal runs through June 12th at Dramatic License Productions' theatre inside Chesterfield Mall's Artropolis district. Find ticket information at Dramatic License's website or Facebook page.

How much honesty is too much? Are little white lies really little? Share your thoughts by clicking on "Comments," below.