An Act of God

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AN ACT OF GOD

Photo: Jeremy Daniel

Cititour.com Review
Thank the comedy gods for Jim Parsons. The Emmy-winning sitcom actor turns frankincense into gold as the titular character in An Act of God. Adapted by comedy writer David Javerbaum (The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) from his book, this amusing new Broadway show casts the star of The Big Bang Theory as a sweetly sour deity longing to clear the air with folks who’ve been misrepresenting him and misinterpreting his words.

To that end, he unveils a new Ten Commandments. “I have grown weary of the Ten Commandments, in exactly the same way that Don McLean has grown weary of ‘American Pie,’” he explains. Although there are some holdovers from the original, this updated version includes revisions like “Thou shalt separate Me and state” and “Thou shalt not seek a personal relationship with Me.” This God doesn’t like to be told to bless America or save the Queen.

A combination of adorableness and astringency, Parsons is the ideal choice to play this deity. He’s a friendly but somewhat patronizing father, slightly menacing, but never too threatening. Jeans and and sneakers stick out from the bottom of his white, gold-accented robe as he debunks many of the myths surrounding Noah, Job and Jesus, and explains the creation of Adam and Steve (not a misprint).

Working with director Joe Mantello and costars Tim Kazurinsky and Christopher Fitzgerald, who play angels Gabriel and Michael, Parsons delivers some hilarious zingers. As latecomers are seated, he quips, “You’re lucky I’m God and not Patti LuPone.” Later, revealing some celebrity indulgences he’s witnessed, he recalls Lindsay Lohan ordering “a penne alla vodka, quote, hold the penne alla.’”

But for a show headlined by a mainstream TV star that seems designed for summer tourist appeal, An Act of God has a surprisingly dark, atheistic outlook. “Fairness and mercy never enter into My decisions,” God says at one point. “I hurt and kill and inflict pain for the most ridiculous and tangential of reasons.”

Though acerbic and amusing, even when shticky and preachy, it’s neither a laugh riot nor deliciously dark. For those who just want to bask in the glow of Parsons’s naturally comic face for 90 minutes, that may be enough. But both actor and audience deserve a bigger bang.

By Diane Snyder


Visit the Site
http://anactofgod.com

Cast
Jim Parsons, Christopher Fitzgerald, Tim Kazurinsky

Open/Close Dates
Opening 5/28/2015
Closing 8/2/2015

Preview Open/ Preview Close Dates
Preview Opening 5/7/2015
Closing Open-ended

Box Office
212-239-6200

Theatre Info
Studio 54
254 West 54th Street
New York, NY 10019
Map



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