After the opening-night performance of The Roustabouts Theatre Company’s production of “An Act of God” on Friday, someone in the audience asked afterward whether the play was sacreligious.
That’s an understandable question, since the God in David Javerbaum’s hilarious 90-minute comedy has materialized in the form of a 41-year-old woman with ADHD, and she tells the audience that the real Garden of Eden story involved a gay couple named Adam and Steve.
But jokes aside, the God in this play is surprisingly human. Yes, she’s narcissistic, fiercely omnipotent, fond of smiting and struggling with “wrath-management issues.” But she’s also vulnerable, burdened with regrets and a mother still grieving the crucifixion of her strong-willed middle child, Jesus. God says she made humans in her own image, so it makes sense that we share the same flaws.
Roustabouts is presenting “An Act of God” at Scripps Ranch Theatre, where scenic and lighting designer David Kievit has created a wonderfully whimsical “Jetsons”-style spaceport lounge where the story unfolds.
As the play begins, God has decided to transform into human form to share with the audience her decision to rewrite the Ten Commandments, which she feels have grown creaky with age. With the help of her Archangels Michael and Gabriel, God goes through her new commandments, one by one, with a few humorous tangents.
Roustabouts’ Artistic Director Phil Johnson directed this production, which he has jam-packed with visual pop culture references, dance breaks, a “Family Feud”-style commandment countdown and more. God is played by Samantha Ginn, a gifted actor and comic who’s comfortable improvising when the unexpected occurs (when one audience member sneezed, Ginn shouted out “me bless you!”).
As Archangel Michael, Devyn Wade is both boyishly sweet and terrified as a devil’s advocate, cautiously questioning God’s decisions and her history of killing the innocent. He’s smart to tread lightly because God has a very short fuse, frequently turning Michael and Gabriel (played with quiet fastidiousness by A.J. Knox) into reluctant dance puppets whenever she’s angry.
And as for her new commandments? “Thou Shalt Separate Me and State” means guns are not a “God-given” right. “Thou Shalt Not Take My Name in Vain” means she’s fed up with vapid requests to bless sports team victories. And “Thou Shalt Not Tell Me What to Do” means cool it with the excessive prayers, which she’s receiving at a rate of 12 million a minute.
In this play, God shows her own humanlike frailties, and she shares that we have their own godlike qualities that can used to improve our lives and the lives of others. It’s a good message in a very funny play that not sacreligious but thoughtful in how it examines religious faith.
‘An Act of God’
When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through March 29
Where: The Roustabouts at Scripps Ranch Theatre, 9783 Avenue of Nations, Alliant International University, San Diego
Tickets: $10-$45
Phone: 619-568-5800
Online: theroustabouts.org