“The Christians” just left the Mark Taper Forum not long ago, and now God himself has come to the Ahmanson Theatre for a few weeks, through March 13 to be exact. The Almighty has taken on the form of Sean Hayes (Jack McFarland on NBC’s sitcom “Will and Grace”) to make himself incarnate to Los Angeles’ audiences because, according to God, “humor is not my specialty, it’s wrath.” As you can see this take on God is tongue in cheeky.
“The Christians” just left the Mark Taper Forum not long ago, and now God himself has come to the Ahmanson Theatre for a few weeks, through March 13 to be exact. The Almighty has taken on the form of Sean Hayes (Jack McFarland on NBC’s sitcom “Will and Grace”) to make himself incarnate to Los Angeles’ audiences because, according to God, “humor is not my specialty, it’s wrath.” As you can see this take on God is tongue in cheeky.
“An Act of God,” a 90 minute comedy written by David Javerbaum, a former writer for “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” and the “Late Show With David Letterman,” is based on a combination of Javerbaum’s 2011 book “The Last Testament: A Memoir by God” and Javerman’s parody Twitter account @TheTweetofGod, where he tweets in the voice of God. The show opened in May 2015 in New York with Jim Parsons (“Big Bang Theory”) in the lead, but due to Parson’s scheduling commitments for his TV show, the role became Hayes’ and it’s a divine fit.
God is pleased to be here in the LA area because, according to God, “It’s the first time I’ve been allowed within a 20 mile radius of Hollywood in many years. It’ll be a combustible event …, especially since so many of My chosen people run the place.”
The purpose for God’s current visit to the City of the Angels is to revise the Ten Commandments and make it clear what He really wants to be done in His name. To accomplish this God has brought along two angels, Gabriel (James Gleason) and Michael (David Josefberg). Michael’s job is to take questions from the audience. The questions are scripted of course, but using audience members by name is a nice touch. Then, before God presents his updates on the Ten Commandments He regales us with His take on creation, and it is clear He had fun and took His time.
Javerbaum, who is Jewish, does not consider himself religious, but he did a lot of research in order to write his book and the subsequent play and twitter account. According to the playwright he read the Old Testament, the four Gospels and the Koran in preparation for the play. His presentation, while based on biblical scripture, is presented in a way that will work here and in San Francisco, the show’s next venue. However, it would probably scandalize the folks in the Bible Belt who would be shocked to hear God say that Jesus was His middle child, and He didn’t approve of his decision to come to earth.
God admits He still likes the First Commandment, just as written, because He enjoys being the boss. But as Gabriel reads off the list, God embellishes significant changes throughout.
Hayes, as the personification of God here in the Los Angeles production, is amazing. He had to learn 45 pages of dialogue, which is actually a monologue punctuated with some interaction with the the two onstage angels, and he doesn’t miss a beat. In a recent Los Angeles Times feature by David Ng, Hayes described the heavenly character he incarnates as “Very self-righteous, egotistical, sarcastic, sardonic, who becomes through the course of the play, self-aware. Which I love. So there is actually a narrative to the play.”
Hayes keeps the laughs coming and really conjures up this Old Testament persona of the Almighty with rat-a-tat dialogue that keeps the audience laughing throughout. But Michael, the angel, does ask some tough questions like: “Why do You allow suffering? Why is there war? Why did You let the Halocaust happen?” When Michael won’t stop, God tosses a thunderbolt in his direction and knocks off a wing. Hey, you don’t mess around with God when he says “enough already!”
The show opened on Ash Wednesday and I felt a little guilty as I laughed out loud many times throughout. While a bit scandalous at times, the play made you laugh and think about things in a new light. However, I don’t recommend buying a ticket for your truly Evangelical friends. But I think a priest with a good sense of humor would see the off-beat humor in what this version of God had to say before returning to heaven at the end of the show.
Joe Mantello deftly directed “An Act of God” in New York and here at the Ahmanson. The scenic design by Scott Pask. lighting by Hugh Vanstone and sound design by Fitz Patton are clever and add to this fast paced evening of divine comedy and pronouncements.
“An Act of God, at the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 North Grand, L.A., through March 13. For information call (213) 972-4400 or online at centertheatregroup.org. Running time 1 hour,30 minutes, with no intermission.
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” will come to the Ahmanson March 22 through May 1. The musical comedy was a smash hit on Broadway and won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Musical.
