Heaven Can Wait

Judgement Day

Meet Sammy Campo, a corrupt, self-serving, money-grubbing louse of a lawyer. While gloating about how his latest cutthroat scheme is going to make him even richer, Sammy suffers a sudden heart attack. While under the knife in the ER, Sammy has an out-of-body experience. An angel suddenly appears to him, who looks remarkably like Sister Margaret, his strict Catholic school teacher from many years ago. She severely admonishes Sammy for his decades of amoral behavior and provides a vivid preview of his eternity of unending torture in the fiery pits of hell. But it turns out that Heaven can wait. 

Sammy is quite a shrewd operator. He cleverly works out a deal with the angry Angel. After he’s surprisingly brought back to life by a skilled hospital staff of surgeons, Sammy makes a bargain with Angel-Sister Margaret. He begs her for one more chance at forgiveness and salvation. Sammy promises that if he can rack up enough points by doing good deeds for others less fortunate, he’ll be able to cross over to Heaven, upon his death. 

So Sammy goes on to meet and befriend Father Michael, a humane and generous clergyman who’s been suffering his own personal religious lapse. Sammy finds a law case where he can win and score some really big points when the good priest introduces the corrupt counselor to Edna. She’s an elderly woman who recently lost her husband. During the trauma of her husband’s death and funeral, Edna forgot to pay her insurance premium. Now Jackson, the company’s most amoral and heartless insurance agent, is planning to foreclose on Edna’s house and throw her into the streets. Sammy is certain that if he can rescue the piteous widow from becoming homeless he’ll earn enough points to definitely secure a place in Heaven. 

But, to positively clinch the deal, Sammy decides to rack up even more Heavenly Points by reconnecting with his estranged wife, from whom he walked away ten years ago. Tracy isn’t exactly overjoyed to see her selfish ex-husband, and she lays on him all the problems she’s experiencing as a single parent. Raising Casper, the son that Sammy never knew he had, is no picnic. Sammy can see himself in the selfish youngster and so, in order to guarantee a better future for Casper, he begins to visit regularly and try to steer the boy toward a kinder and more empathetic existence. However, Sammy’s new relationship with Father Michael, Edna, Tracy and Casper has an unexpected accumulated effect on the cynical, disbelieving lawyer that foreshadows a happy ending to the story.

This cleverly-constructed adult comedy is the brilliant creation of playwright, and Golden Globe winner, Rob Ulin. He began his career in the entertainment field as the writer and producer of such hit TV shows as “Roseanne,” “Malcolm in the Middle” and, more recently, “Young Sheldon.” Ulin’s comedy revolves around a main character who’s more of an antihero. There’s much about Sammy Campo that will remind theatergoers of the corrupt, dastardly Washington politicians who are currently in today’s headlines. The play is also liberally peppered with profanity and four-letter words and, at times, is remarkably raunchy. The format of Mr. Ulin’s play may resemble a sitcom, but only a show that would play on cable TV.

The cast is strongly led by one of television’s finest comic actors, Tony and Emmy Award-winner, Jason Alexander. As Sammy Campo, Alexander masters his role and dominates every scene. He takes his familiar, equally self-centered role of George Costanza from “Seinfeld” and ramps up the very worse traits in that character. With a larger-than-life persona, and a thick Brooklyn accent, Mr. Alexander expertly navigates his way through his role with ease, a firm hand and a strong, unforgettable presence. 

Jason Alexander is joined by a talented supporting cast of excellent actors. Seen on Broadway in HAMILTON, THE BOOK OF MORMON  and SHREK THE MUSICAL, the handsome and gifted Tony nominated Daniel Breaker, is superb as the compassionate Father Michael. Mr. Breaker portrays this character as a complex, multilayered man. He’s not just a kindly priest; he’s a troubled character facing his own personal demons. In this strictly dramatic role, with no toe-tapping production numbers to show off his considerable musical skills, Daniel Breaker shines all the way to Heaven.

Other terrific actors in this cast include Chicago’s own Meg Thalken, as Edna. Recently seen in Rivendell Theatre’s excellent WIPEOUT, Ms. Thalken is both heartbreaking and hilarious as an elderly widow who’s desperate for help. Another talented Chicago actor, Joe Dempsey is shockingly smarmy as insurance agent Jackson. If Joe looks familiar, it’s because he’s not only appeared in several other CST productions, but has been seen on virtually every stage in the Windy City. And as the pompous and perplexed Monsignor, talented Chicago actor Michael Kostroff might be remembered from his performance in THE WHISTLEBLOWER, at Theater Wit, along with his role of Maury on HBO’s “The Wire.” He certainly evokes his own share of laughter as the head of the Catholic Church.

Making her Chicago debut, the multitalented Broadway actress, Candy Buckley, is simply sensational as the no-nonsense Angel. Maggie Bofill, another actress making her CST debut, is excellent as Tracy. She also plays two smaller roles equally well, but as Tracy she portrays an intricately layered character—part hilarious, part poignant. Olivia D. Dawson is hysterical as Della, Sammy’s faithful secretary and assistant. A master of wit, dry delivery and eye-rolling reaction, Ms. Dawson is a standout in this production. And young Ellis Myers, who powerfully portrays Casper, is wonderful in a role that could be a throwaway in less-talented hands. Master Myers creates a feisty, obstinate kid who’s definitely a younger version of Sammy. He starts out as an unlikable, smart-aleck kid, but Casper eventually turns into a likable preteen boy.

Directed with style and pizzazz by Tony Award nominee, Moritz von Stuelpnagel, known on Broadway for his productions of I NEED THAT, HAND TO GOD and PRESENT LAUGHTER, this irreverent play clips along at a pronto pace. Broadway Scenic Designer Beowulf Boritt’s sets move on and off the stage like scenes from a movie, with the stage continually dominated by a large Gothic arch and a giant stained glass altar screen that features Lady Justice. Amith Chandrashaker’s Lighting Design is heavenly, as are Tommy Kurzman’s Hair and Wigs and Tilly  Grimes’ exquisite costumes. As she did on Broadway with her inventive costumes for SHUCKED, Ms. Grimes’ creative creations, particularly for the Angel, provides some surprises and a few sparkles.

Lately, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre has been offering a wide array of productions that go beyond the works of the Bard. With their fine productions of THE NOTEBOOK and ILLINOISE, currently both Tony-nominated Broadway musicals, Windy City audiences are all the more grateful for the wide variety. This new comedy, possibly having its pre-Broadway opening to test the waters, is a real crowd pleaser. Just be warned, more conservative, sensitive theatergoers may be offended by the frank language and explicit dialogue in Rob Ulin’s adult comedy. But what it all boils down to is a hell of a good time and, just maybe, Heaven can wait.        

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented April 23-May 26 by Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in The Yard Theater on Navy Pier, Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the CST box office, by calling the theatre at 312-595-5600 or by going to www.chicagoshakes.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.