An Act of God at Act II Playhouse

Tony Braithwaite is one of my favorite Philadelphia actors because he can play so many different types of characters without absurdly stretching the limit. So I was most intrigued when I learned he be would portraying God in Act II Playhouse’s comedy, “An Act of God.” Written by Emmy Award Winner comedy writer for his work on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” David Javerbaum, the play featured Jim Parsons when it opened on Broadway in 2015. I can’t imagine anyone doing it better than Braithwaite.

            When the play begins, God (Braithwaite) is dressed in a white suit as he explains that he has chosen to appear in the body of the Act II actor (Braithwaite) who is at home, sleeping. He tells us and the two archangels who accompany him, that he has come to Earth to straighten out the misconception that religions have about him. He is coming with a new set of Ten Commandments.

            He talks about the challenges posed by evolution. He complains about the God-given right to guns and why bad things happen to good people. He asks that we stop saying God bless you when ever someone sneezes and about his issue with the song “God Bless America. Neither does he like the terms, goddammit and goddamned! He talks at length about Abraham, who he asked to sacrifice his son… until he changed his mind. He talks about circumcision. He talks about Jesus, who he at first didn’t think was too bright and was not an only child, but a middle child, between Zach and Cathy. He is annoyed with the athletes who are always thanking him when they succeed, as they kiss the cross and look to the heavens. It is all preposterous!

            As for the new commandments, one is to Honor Thy Children. Another is “Thou shalt not tell others whom to fornicate.” And he emphasizes “Thou shalt not seek a personal relationship with God.”

            But God doesn’t just complain- he is funny when he talks about the world. He is very funny while giving us so much to think about. There are many smart jokes and clever innuendoes. At times, we feel like we are watching a brilliant stand-up comedian. Other times, he responds to Archangel Michael’s (Paddy May) probing questions while he takes comfort in Archangel Gabriel’s (Reneee McFillin) support.

            And we see that even God has a temper. Even God doesn’t know what is always happening. Even God has trouble making decisions. I don’t want to spoil the tons of jokes that come at us, but as I indicated above, they are not a slapstick sort of humor. They are just fun and funny! We all just laughed and laughed during this wonderful 70-minute play.

“An Act of God” by David Javerbaum at Act II Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Avenue., Ambler, PA 19002, 215-654-0200,   act2.org    Extended thru September 8, 2024