On & Off Broadway

‘An Act of God’

Reviewed by Elyse Trevers

Posted

If God came down to earth to speak to us, what form would he take? At Studio 54 for 12 weeks, he looks a lot like Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper of “The Big Bang Theory.”) Along with his two chief archangels, Gabriel (Tim Kazurinsky), and Michael (Christopher Fitzgerald) he’s come to speak to his American creations.

Based upon a 2011 best seller by David Javerbaum, former head writer of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” the show offers a revised Ten Commandments. Gabriel is like Ed McMahon, reading from a huge Gutenberg Bible. Michael’s job is to ask questions from the audience. He takes his role seriously, running around the audience posing questions and even incurring God’s wrath. Some of the questions are silly. “Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Neither. The rooster.” Some are more profound. Why was there a Holocaust? Why do children get cancer? The answers are often as unfathomable as they are timeless. “God works in mysterious ways.”

A third of the 90-minute show is filled with clever quips and jokes, some at the expense of celebrities and politicians. Here are topical references and even current political ones (Obama: “I’m disappointed too.”) There’s a lengthy bit about homosexuality with a timely comment about Caitlyn Jenner. Much of the humor receives appreciative laughter from the audience. Yet when God speaks of his favorite son, Abraham, and jealously causing him to choose between God and his beloved son, Isaac, the show slows down considerably. Similarly when he speaks of his middle child Jesus, the mood gets more somber. (His other children were Zach and Kathy.)


When the play is funny, often it’s because God’s complaints are recognizable. (The sports figures who thank him, the entertainers who claim he gave them their talent.) He doesn’t want his name used in vain and requests no more damning or blessing or killing in his name. He tell us to ‘stop calling his name.’

Parsons is playful with good comic timing. He often looks sly with a smug satisfied expression. He is witty and playful, enjoys joking but then gets serious, especially when punishing Michael for being too pushy.

An Act of God is basically irreverent and clever; however, some might consider it to be offensive, especially when God asks “what the hell is wrong with me?” You won’t get any answers from An Act of God but you get some good laughs. ‘God willing.’