The King of the Universe makes His debut in "Broadway's Newest Hit!" (NBC-TV) An Act of God is a 90-minute comedy where God, in the form of Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Jim Parsons (star of The Big Bang Theory), reveals the mysteries of the Bible and answers some of the deepest questions that have plagued mankind since Creation. Now playing on Broadway at Studio 54. Strictly Limited Engagement through August 2nd only.
A one-joke sketch dragged out to, er, ungodly lengths, 'An Act of God' feels like little more than a cash grab designed to prey on tourists drawn to its well-known star and cutesy premise. (I didn't see the Jim Parsons version, so this was my first encounter with the material.) Written by former 'Daily Show' writer andMaplewood native David Javerbaum (or 'transcribed' by him, since the show purports to be the word of God) and directed by Joe Mantello ('The Humans,' 'Blackbird'), the play features Hayes in a white flowing robe, accompanied by two angels (James Gleason and David Josefsberg), riffing on assorted topics such as religious piety and creationism versus science ('I invested more time and energy into falsifying an airtight case for evolution over Creation, than I did Creation itself,' God insists).
The show has been updated to include a few new zingers. For instance, God announces that he knows full well that the crowd is only there because they couldn't get tickets to 'Hamilton.' In fact, God can't snag a ticket, either. Even at just 90 minutes, 'An Act of God' (directed by the prolific Joe Mantello) is long-winded and full of unoriginal jabs at easy targets, but it is cute and occasionally witty . Hayes, who appeared on Broadway six years ago in the musical 'Promises, Promises' and is best remembered as the flamboyant Jack on 'Will and Grace,' has terrific stage presence and makes for a giddy, loosened-up and irreverent host.
2015 | US Tour |
West Coast Tour US Tour |
2015 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
2016 | Broadway |
Broadway Return Engagement Broadway |
2017 | Regional (US) |
George Street Playhouse Production Regional (US) |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Sound Design in a Play | Fitz Patton |
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