The Ten Commandments, 2.0

An Act of God

Try to imagine God portrayed by the late, great comedian, Don Rickles. His famous manic riffs and insults are legendary. If you’re too young to remember Mr. Rickles, picture the high-energy comedy of Jim Carrey, Dave Chapelle, Aziz Ansari or John Stewart in the role of the Almighty. This will give theatergoers an image of Alex Weisman’s portrayal of God in Paramount Theatre’s new production of this one-act comic play by Emmy Award-winner, David Javerbaum.

Staged and guided by Jeff Award-nominated Director Keira Fromm, this 90-minute satire opens with a bang and continues to charge onward until the play’s final moments. The Lord has, for His earthly presentation, taken the corporeal countenance of Chicago actor and “Two-time Jeff Award-winner and Broadway veteran,” Alex Weisman, in order to tell His story and set the record straight. Mr. Weisman’s smooth, confident and animated performance reminds audiences of any number of snarky standup comedians or brilliantly verbose talk show hosts. But know that God is appearing at the Copley Theatre in Aurora, Illinois in order to present His newly revised version of the Ten Commandments, 2.0. The revisions are alternately priceless and pithy.

God is joined by his two most faithful celestial assistants, Archangels Michael (intensely interpreted by Chicago actor, Michael Turrentine) and Gabriel (the supernaturally supportive Em Modaff). Their inclusion provides a little variety in the play. The characters break up God’s lengthy monologues by conversing with Him, sometimes providing quotes from the Bible or wandering through the audience, supposedly taking questions from inquisitive theatergoers. While there are a lot of laughs at first, they eventually evolve into chuckles and then smiles. But the wordiness of Javerbaum’s script eventually grows tiresome and the constant laughter begins to fade. Before long, the somewhat silly and sarcastic Deity starts to come across as, well, kinda mean. 

To the audience, God relates how His creation of the universe actually transpired. He tells us that the human beings, that were created in His own image, were originally Adam and Steve. The Lord then proves that He definitely doesn’t hate the LGBTQ+ community, although they soon became a suburban couple with kids, named Adam and Eve. Then the Lord riffs on the Great Flood, Noah’s Ark and how incredulous it is that people still believe that the boat was literally filled with two animals of every species. Can you imagine that? It’s an impossibility!

The Deity recalls how He challenged the devotion of Job before talking about His easily affected “middle child,” Jesus. He’s challenged as to why, as the merciful and loving Lord of Light, He allows war, hunger, disease, pain and suffering. Then one of His Archangels bluntly asks God “So, why do bad things happen to good people?” And that’s when the play turns on a dime and becomes serious.

Enhancing this production are a team of talented theatre technical artists. Co-Scenic Designers, Jeffrey D. Kmiec and Milo Bue, have created a beautiful environment for the three actors that’s part Heavenly Firmament and part talkshow set. The white and gold Scenic Design is dominated by gigantic tufted pouf, and backed by an LED screen that responds to Jehovah’s changing moods, thanks to Projection Designer Anthony Churchill. A large portion of Brandon Wardell’s gorgeous, heavenly Lighting Design is incorporated into the Set, with his ever-changing rays of brilliance branching outward and several large lighted halos suspended high above the stage and audience. Christopher Kriz’s Sound Design and original Musical Compositions are the icing on the cake, while Mieka van der Ploeg’s clean, white, contemporary Costumes, complete with golden wings, are absolutely angelic.

This production, part of Paramount’s Bold Series, will probably be far more popular with liberal-minded theatergoers. Staunch conservatives and strict Evangelicals may fail to find any humor at all in this satirical play. They might be offended by a new Ten Commandments, 2.0 or, indeed, most of the material. So just be warned. 

The success of the production, as it was on Broadway, with Jim Parsons in the title role and eventually replaced by Sean Hays, requires a topnotch comic actor. In this, what is virtually a one-man show, Director Keira Fromm is extremely fortunate to have talented Alex Weisman returning from NYC to play God. Although Mr. Weisman seems to have been directed to play the part with a fiercely frivolous and smart-alecky flair, and to deliver his rapid-fire, but well-enunciated lines with frightening forcefulness, the talented young actor succeeds as the spirited, Supreme Being.              

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 2-November 10 by Paramount Theatre at the Copley Theatre, 8 East Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 630-896-6666, or by going to www.paramountaurora.com.

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