Home

Displaying items by tag: Hand to God

Watching teens in a Cypress, Texas, Bible class plan a sock puppet revue, we have a setting ripe with dramatic possibilities.

In Hand to God, playing now at Victory Gardens Theater, one of those puppet claims a mind of his own, hurling sacrilegious epithets and encouraging mayhem with his devil-may-care insults.

Jason is the repressed teen (Alex Weissman is hilarious) whose arm is stuck inside Tyrone – the Satanic stocking that reveals everything Jason dare not say. Adding to the angst: Jason’s mother Margery (Janelle Snow) is the puppet class teacher, and the erotic vision for classroom nemesis, Timothy (Curtis Edward Jackson nails it).

In short order, the puppet’s revealing zingers upset the tightly wound congregation. The world of Cypress has only one way to explain all this: this puppet is possessed by Satan. Why else would he sharpen his teeth and bite the ear of the class bully? How else would he know Pastor Greg lurks outside the windows of teenagers? 

With a nudge from Tyrone (Weissman plays this flip-side personality very well) the stage abounds with licentious behavior (playfully enough, since puppets are involved), but particularly tawdry considering most of the action is in a church basement, or in the study of Pastor Greg (Eric Slater).

No one should fault director Gary Griffin for playing for shtick with this foul-mouthed puppet calling the shots on stage. But the play also holds a serious subtext, on the tendency for religious social settings to repress at least one fundamental human requirement: the need for irreverence. The play offers a full hand of irreverence, and that is a laugh a minute.

The Biograph main stage has been fully updated, housing a nicely designed set (Joe Schermoly) that rotates beautifully from scene to scene. An Exorcist-style makeover of the classroom is campy and droll at the same time. Daniel Dempsey built and directed the evil Tyrone in his various manifestations, along with his buxom fabric love interest, a puppet girl worn by teen classmate Jessica (Nina Ganet).  

This production of a script by Robert Askins (it earned 5 Tony nominations) is so wonderfully put together that it’s been selling out (a Wednesday night was packed), and the run was extended twice. You still have until October 30 to watch it at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln. Don’t miss it. 

Published in Theatre in Review

Chicago Opera Theater presents Chicago leg of the world premiere tour of Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s newest opera Before It All Goes Dark May 25 & 26 at the Studebaker Theater

23 April 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Chicago Opera Theater (COT), Chicago’s foremost producer of new and reimagined opera, closes its 50th Anniversary season presenting the final performances of…

Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre announces 2024 season - celebrates local artists and two of the most significant Black female writers of the past 50 years

23 April 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Tim Rhoze, Artistic Director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, has announced the company's 2024 season of four productions. The season will open with…

Comedy & magic collide in RIDICULOUS! with David Williamson, May 16-June 30 at Rhapsody Theater

23 April 2024 in Theatre in Review

David Williamson, regarded as one of the top magicians in the world today, makes his Rhapsody Theater debut with Ridiculous! Known for his tours…

Oh Baby, Baby: BABY the Musical at Citadel Theatre

22 April 2024 in Theatre Reviews

It’s often said that in the workplace you should refrain from talking about politics and religion; too personal, too easy…

Ballet 5:8's 'Lost Women of Suarez' in a word - evocative!

22 April 2024 in Dance in Review

BALLET 5:8 is a female - and minority-led ballet company resident at Harris Theatre in Millenium Park. Under the leadership…

Northlight Theatre’s BROOKLYN LAUNDRY Highlights Solid Acting and Thought-Provoking Script

21 April 2024 in Theatre in Review

When life’s chaos is full of impossible choices, how are we possibly meant to move forward? Brooklyn Laundry is about…

Babes with Blades triumph over time and space in THE S PARADOX!

20 April 2024 in Theatre in Review

I would absolutely bomb out of jury selection cos I have a very definite bias: I’ve been a fan(atic) of…

No Trouble with Marriott Theatre’s Music Man

19 April 2024 in Theatre in Review

You got trouble, my friends, if you’re going to put on Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. If you’re going to…

Alvin Ailey in Transition: A Poignant Performance at the Auditorium Theatre

19 April 2024 in Dance in Review

This year's Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 65th-anniversary engagement at Chicago's historic Auditorium Theatre held particular importance as it marked…

Emile Zola Adaptation 'Nana' Is a Triumph at Magical Trap Door Theater

15 April 2024 in Theatre in Review

For the final show of its 30th anniversary season, Trap Door Theatre—the little company that could—has selected a sure-fire hit…

Auditorium Theatre Announces vibrant 2024-25 Season

15 April 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Chicago’s National Landmark Auditorium Theatre (50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly announces its 2024-25 performance season presenting a vibrant mix of…

Chicago Writers' Bloc Announces 2024 New Play Festival May 5 - 19 at Theater Wit

15 April 2024 in Theatre in Review

Chicago Writers' Bloc has announced the lineup of plays and musicals for its biennial festival of new plays, to be…

Hershey Felder Brilliant as Monsieur Chopin

14 April 2024 in Theatre in Review

If you appreciate classical music and captivating stories about brilliant artists from the past, Hershey Felder’s one-man show, Monsieur Chopin:…

Jackalope Theatre Announces Cast and Creative Team for the World Premiere of THE SINGULARITY PLAY, May 19 - June 22

11 April 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Jackalope Theatre Company continues its 16th season at Edgewater’s Berger Park, 6205 N. Sheridan Rd., with the announcement of the cast…

Spanish Language Magic Shows at Rhapsody Theater to celebrate Cinco de Mayo

11 April 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Born and raised in Mexico City, Dr. Ricardo Rosenkranz, MD, Chicago’s own Physician Magician, will celebrate the festive Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend by…

Court Theatre’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead Features Fabulous Ensemble with Striking Design

09 April 2024 in Theatre in Review

The Player (Lorenze Rush Jr) has just run into Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with his troupe of players. As he explains…

'COCK' is f***king amazing!

08 April 2024 in Theatre in Review

Those were my first words when I left the performance of COCK to David Zak, producer and resident wizard of…

Enchanting Feats: A glowing review of ‘Look Closer with Joshua Jay’

07 April 2024 in Theatre in Review

If you’re a magic enthusiast, Joshua Jay’s captivating new show, Look Closer, is currently enchanting audiences at the Rhapsody Theater. But even…

Welcome to The Jungle: The Choir of Man Rocks Chicago

06 April 2024 in Theatre Reviews

Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name. Sometimes you want to be surrounded by people to experience the…

About Face Theatre announces casting for Midwest Premiere of Lavender Men

04 April 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

About Face Theatre announces casting for the Midwest Premiere production of Lavender Men by Roger Q. Mason, directed by Lucky Stiff, running May 9 -June 8,…

CUT TO THE CHASE festival of one-act plays returns May 2-5 with theme "Face-to-Face" at The Den Theatre

04 April 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

The Artistic Home Studio will present the 2024 edition of its CUT TO THE CHASE festival of new one act…

Hell in a Handbag Productions Presents the World Premiere of POOR PEOPLE! The Parody Musical

02 April 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to continue its 22nd season with the world premiere of POOR PEOPLE! The Parody Musical, an…

'American Fiction' Oscar Boosts Percival Everett's Latest Work, 'James,' at 'Authors on Tap'

01 April 2024 in Theatre in Review

Author Percival Everett is having his moment, and Exile in Bookville gave us a chance to meet him up close…

The Physical Theater Festival Chicago Returns July 13 - 21 with its 11th Annual Edition

31 March 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Physical Theater Festival Chicago is proud to announce the complete lineup for its 11th anniversary celebration, July 13 - 21. The Festival begins…

Review: Jersey Boys at Mercury Theatre

29 March 2024 in Theatre in Review

‘Jersey Boys’ is back in Chicago, bringing with it a little East Coast to the Third Coast. The hit Broadway…

Take Flight and Feel the Magic with ‘Peter Pan: The Hit Broadway Musical'

28 March 2024 in Theatre in Review

After many years without seeing the movie or reading the story of Peter Pan, the moment I learned that Peter Pan:…

Casting for Lifeline Theatre’s production of “Native Son” adapted by Chicagoan Nambi E. Kelley, May 10 - June 30

28 March 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Lifeline Theatre and Artistic Director ILesa Duncan announce the casting for Chicagoan Nambi E. Kelley's "gutsy, powerful, and relentless" adaptation of Richard Wright's powerful introspection…

A.B.L.E. presents "The Odyssey" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on May 11

27 March 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

A.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations—a Chicago-based nonprofit that creates theatre and film for, with, and by individuals with Down syndrome…

Review: Remy Bumppo Theatre Company's "Love Song' at Theater Wit

26 March 2024 in Theatre in Review

When a play’s opening moment is mystifying and its closing moment is satisfying, the stuff in between must be doing…

“Navigating Family, Truth, and Legacy: A Must-See Journey in ‘Purpose’”

26 March 2024 in Theatre in Review

The expansive, opulent home exudes an air of solid middle-class comfort, boasting a formal dining area, an upright piano, and…

 

 

         17 Years and counting!

Register

     

Latest Articles

Guests Online

We have 154 guests and no members online

Buzz Chicago on Facebook Buzz Chicago on Twitter 

Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.