Hand to God – Location, Tickets, Reviews
After a successful run at the Ensemble Studio Theater in 2011, Hand to God, a comedy by Robert Askins is back. MCC Theater gathered many from the original team to produce a new production of Hand to God at the Lucille Lortel Theater in the West Village. Moritz von Stuelpnagel again directs, and Steven Boyer reprises his roles as Jason and Tyrone, a hand puppet. Boyer won an Obie award for his performance in the Ensemble Studio Theater production.
Set in a small Christian community in Texas, Hand to God takes place at a church where a group of teenagers create a club that uses puppets to get closer to Jesus. Jason, a shy boy who lost his father, also joins the group headed by his mother, Margery. Things go terribly awry when Jason’s hand puppet, Tyrone, takes on an aggressive, violent, rude, and vulgar personality. Tyrone wreaks havoc on the small community, leading everyone to believe that he is possessed by the devil.
Naturally, the truth is not so simple. As this crude yet surprisingly astute alter-ego indicates, not every problem can be dismissed as “the devil’s doing.”
Maxamoo
Steven Boyer deserves even more awards for his excellent performance. He artfully portrays both Jason, the timid teen, and Tyrone, the deranged puppet. It’s easy to forget a single person is doing both. Boyer manages to hold Jason’s scared facial expressions even as he is spouting curses as Tyrone. He operates the puppet so the audience’s attention is drawn to it at only the right moments. Assisted by von Stuelpnagel’s smart direction, Beowulf Boritt’s fantastically detailed set, and a great supporting cast, Hand to God is a quality production end to end.
Naturally, it helps that the play itself is so witty. Askins manages to simultaneously explore poignant issues, poke fun at religion, and be deliciously wacky. It is uproarious, disturbing, and heart-wrenching. As Tyrone eerily and ironically spews at the audience in his final acerbic monologue, “Laugh. This s@!t is funny.”
Note: This performance contains explicit language and graphic sexual content (by puppets and humans alike)
Public Opinion
The performance we attended was sold out and, given the raving critics’ reviews (see below), we suspect it won’t be the only one. Boyer received a much-deserved standing ovation.
The Twittersphere is not surprisingly extremely supportive:
@wanderingcde: If you see nothing else this year, see HAND TO GOD at MCC!!!! #mindblown
@avi_tal: Loved every second of #HandToGod. Congrats Mr. @Robert_Askins and @mcctheater! What a fun night with @distar and pals.
@margotwhitewow: @Robert_Askins & #handtogod – holy holy holy doesn’t even cover how holy frickin good this is! Everyone come see this show!!
Have you seen Hand to God? What did you think? Comment below or tweet us at @maxamoo
Critics’ Reviews:
In one word: raving.
Entertainment Weekly
Though the whole cast is tremendously game under Moritz von Stuelpnagel’s direction, Boyer’s astonishing pas-de-un is truly special.
New York Times
An Alter Ego With Attitude
New York Post
Boyer’s berserk performance is divine in ‘Hand to God’
TheaterMania
If you’re worried that satanic puppets will permanently scar your happiest childhood memories, you should probably sit this one out. Otherwise, you really shouldn’t miss this delightfully demented black comedy from one of the most exciting young playwrights working today.
AndrewAndrew
Video Review
TICKETS
$69.00-$125 (click here for tickets)
DATES
Performances through March 30, 2014
LOCATION
Lucille Lortel Theater
121 Christopher Street
New York City
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RUNNING TIME
2 hours, one intermission
NEWS
New York Times
The Sock’s Dirty, but He’s Keeping It
New York Post
Puppet star of ‘Hand to God’ isn’t afraid to rebel
CAST & CREW
(partial list)
Written by Robert Askins
Directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel
Set design by Beowulf Boritt
Featuring Steven Boyer, Geneva Carr, Marc Kudisch, Michael Hoberholtzer, Sarah Stiles