Sean Hayes takes the lead role in An Act of God in the new production, picking up where Jim Parsons left off last year. Although the 90-minute comedy has plenty of funny moments, they mostly come in the first half of the show when Hayes gets in a variety of zingers, mostly targeting the vapid Hollywood and reliable Broadway audiences. For a show that aims to keep religion and God under the spotlight, there is a certain shortage of good material.
This development might come as no surprise, though, considering the production is based on a Twitter feed begun and run by "Daily Show" writer David Javerbaum. Adapting something as minor as that for the stage, that itself is an achievement. But making the joke of seeing and hearing from God on all issues relevant to both faith and pop culture, this one-act play doesn't deliver on the promise. God here is speaking directly through the body of Hayes.
Director Joe Mantello has the difficult position of showcasing what God and His angels have to offer -- a countdown of what God would put into the 10 Commandments today is the crux of the story. We get to know God and His line of thinking and reasoning. To give us a glimpse into God's considerations, beside him reside archangels Michael (David Josefsberg) and Gabriel (James Gleason) who demonstrate what happens when you stand by God and when you question Him. The discourse won't get you to rethink your position on religion, however it might leave you feeling a bit uneasy about the Bible and some of the scripture.
The show takes some definite and deliberate liberties to make room for humor while discussing a controversial and sometimes difficult subject. In the end, though, what it really needs is a touch more grace.