Steven Boyer photo credit Gerry Goodstein
Ensemble Studio Theatre’s Hand to God, by Robert Askins, is a rip-roaring farcical comedy with depth, wit and a great deal to say about religion and sex. Not only is it fall-off-your seat funny and profane, but treats its characters as living, feeling people, not caricatures.
Set in a small Texas town the play begins at a Christian puppet circle harbored in the basement of a conservative church where Margery, recently widowed, tries to put together a religious-themed puppet show. Each of the three teenagers there has a back story. Jessica, a bit of a bookworm, is aching for love, trying to get emotionally backward and shy Jason, Margery’s son to notice her. Timothy, the white trash macho guy, placed in this group in an attempt to control him, does little but boast and curse. Pastor Greg, the level-headed church leader, tries to push Margery’s puppetry efforts, but actually wants to woo her.
From this reasonably straight-forward set-up things spiral quickly and deliciously out of control. Jason’s hand puppet takes on a life of its own, spewing profanity and blasting the church. Is it just the repressed side of Jason getting out or the Devil incarnate? Poor Jason, not only can’t he seem to be able to remove the offending sock puppet, but must inexorably let it pull him into a mad whirlwind of emotions and sex, dragging every character into its vortex. Mother Margery, sex starved by widowhood and emotionally starved by her son, reaches out for comfort and excitement. Timothy gets to act out pornographic fantasies and mousy Jessica comes hilariously out of her shell. Pastor Greg is left to try to pick up the pieces and tries to be the voice of reason, pretty much failing miserably.
Askins’ writing is atmospheric, literate and witty. He clearly knows these people and never lets them down.
He is brilliantly helped by the five-member cast. As the stalwart, aching Pastor Greg, Scott Sowers elicits sympathy and laughs. Megan Hill takes awkward Jessica through new found strength and finds many colors in her emotions. As the hunky, foul-mouthed Timothy, Bobby Moreno is perfect—dumb but oddly benevolent in his total befuddlement. Geneva Carr’s Margery falls apart winningly as her sexual desperation overpowers her totally and the dark mystery of her son overcomes her.
But, it’s Steven Boyer as Jason and his hand puppet Tyrone who truly astonishes in his technical virtuosity, his portrayal of emotional confusion and his physical grace.
Moritz von Stuelpnagel’s direction is superhuman. He has to keep the energy flowing but not get out of control and he succeeds brilliantly. He actually convinces that this is the only batch of actors in the world who can give Mr. Askins’ words life.
Rebecca Lord-Surratt’s sets subtly re-create this world of religious conservatism, repressed sexuality and hypocrisy. She captures the institutional feel of the church and the cheaply decorated homes. Sydney Maresca’s costumes reinforce the mood and sense of place. The puppets designed by Marte Johanne Ekhougen, particularly the devilish Tyrone, were executed with wonderfully detailed outfits.
Hand to God is a must-see, brilliantly dark comedy about the hilarious battle between good and evil.
Hand to God
By Robert Askins
The Ensemble Studio Theatre
549 West 52nd St.
New York, NY
Extended through December 18th, 2011
Tickets: ensemblestudiotheatre.org or 866-811-4111