Act II Playhouse inaugurates its 2024-2025 season with "An Act of God" by David Javerbaum. At the start, God explains that his essence is formless. But omnipotent God can become anyone he chooses, and on opening night he appeared in Tony Braithwaite's trademark comic form. 

God tells us he chose Braithwaite for his Act II Playhouse theophany because of the artistic director's charm and wit. I did not believe this for one minute. These are not the words of Javerbaum's God uttered in the original 2015 production. These are words Braithwaite sneaked into the script. 

It comes as no surprise. You suspect Braithwaite always lusted to play God. He toyed with the idea in his many one-man shows that enticed theater mavens to award him several Barrymores. This production proves Braithwaite can no longer constrain his swollen ego. "The Hell with it!" he seemed to say on opening night. "I am God!"

Joking aside, the show goes on to make a serious point amidst a mountain of satirical levity.

The Last Testament

David Javerbaum attended Harvard where he wrote for the Harvard Lampoon. He joined the staff at "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," rose to become the production's head writer and later, executive producer. "An Act of God" is a dramatization of his satirical book,  "The Last Testament, A Memoir By God," published in 2011.

Javerbaum's God alleges people persistently distort his meaning.  He composed “The Last Testament" to correct ages of exegetical error and misapplication. It is a rambling 400-page joke book, loosely organized in neo-biblical form, full of witty barbs and pop culture references that are entertaining in small doses but wearing as a sit-down read.

The live theater adaptation hits the mark more cleanly. "An Act of God" is an engaging 70-minute show organized around The Ten Commandments. Some Commandments are kept intact. God revises others to convey his true intentions and chastise the impenitent.

The Ten Commandments are itemized on a slide-board at stage right. God allows some commandments to remain intact, including the first one, "Honor thy God..."  He revises others, some so severely it effectively dismisses the original. As God proceeds down the list, The Ten Commandments board becomes a "ticking clock" that creates dramatic tension.

Core Problem

Jokes aside, the show episodically addresses the core problem that has dogged the Judeo-Christian tradition since the Book of Job: Why did an all-knowing and all-powerful God create a world that allows suffering and injustice to flourish? In "The Last Testament, A Memoir by God" Javerbaum addresses the question directly when Abraham asks:

"...if thou hast power over what hath not yet come, canst thou not unspool the future with a gentler thread; one weaving a tapestry whereby righteousness is always rewarded, and evil always punished; so that mankind may behold with perfect clarity thine infinite justice?" (from "The Book of Againesis," Chapter 16)

In the theatrical adaptation, Archangel Michael asks the same question. God answers: "I prefer to work in mysterious ways." He may have just as easily said, "Because I am the boss, that's why." When Michael continues to press his argument, God's wrath comes to the fore. He clips off one of Michael's wings and hands it to him.

The play is full of sly humor, but this is no laughing matter. On opening night, someone in the audience gasped, another moaned. In that poignant moment, you feel the truth God himself comes to recognize when he later remarks, "There is something wrong with me" and "I have anger management issues."

But it was mostly a fun-filled night. Braithwaite both stars in and directs the production. The set design by Meghan Jones is cerulean blue with puffy white clouds. Thanks to the costume design of Seana Benz, Braithwaite is dressed in a dazzling white suit, as are his two archangels, Gabriel (Renee McFillin) and Michael (Paddy May).

The Archangels are an effective touch. In addition to being the provocateur, Michael performs various comedy bits. Gabriel, with her glorious smile and flowing dress, is God's cheerleader and enabler. With glowing presence, she continually glides to the slide-board to change The Ten Commandment slats. (I kept thinking of Vanna White.)

But at heart, this is a one-man show. With God as the central character, how could it be anything else? Braithwaite revels in the role. He uses his stand-up comedy talents, sometimes engaging the audience with light banter. He creates a believable character, an over-proud and imperious man, indifferent to the suffering of others but forced to recognize his true nature. 

Through this self-discovery, God takes on a dimension of endearment. The chastiser is chastised. In a choked-up and stilted way, God leaves us with an abbreviated homily on the value of authentic self-love. Act II Playhouse always likes to send its audiences home on a happy note.

Act II Playhouse is at 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler. "An Act of God" will run through Sept. 8. Tickets are available at 215-654-0200.