Playcrafters’ stage features Neil Simon’s ‘God’s Favorite’
It’s midnight. A family is rudely awakened. Has a burglar invaded their posh Long Island mansion or is there something more sinister waiting in the wings?
In the well-known biblical story from the book of Job, the tragic proportions of a modern-day Job’s journey take a turn for Schtickville in Playcrafters’ upcoming stage play by Neil Simon, “God’s Favorite.”
“It’s more of a tragic comedy,” said director Andrew Maksymowych. “A lot of aspects of the book of Job are included, but it’s not meant to be a direct depiction of the biblical account.”
Who can do comedy better than Neil Simon? The multi-award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and author, whose prolific works have garnered more Oscar and Tony-award nods than anyone, takes a successful cardboard box business tycoon, Joe Benjamin (played by Jay Steinberg), and puts him through his paces when a “messenger of God” (played by Jay Reilly) enters his life.
Not unlike the biblical story of Job, where Satan comes to wreak havoc in Job’s life, the God-fearing patriarch Joe Benjamin is determined not to give in to the temptation to renounce God. Along with all of the trials and testing that lead to bitter consequences, comic relief comes along to buffer the ride.
Benjamin’s family is comprised of a demanding yet long-suffering wife (played by Bonnie Kapenstein); a cynical prodigal son David (played by Joe Torsella); ditzy twins Sarah and Ben (played by Grace Albert and Chris Donahue); and humorous domestic help Morris and Mady (played by Christopher McBreen and Emma Russek). The show’s producer is Michelle Quigley.
The two-hour, two-act imaginative stage play takes a serious premise and delivers a typical Simon-like flavor of comedy. Does Joe Benjamin mirror the famous Job of the Bible or does he capitulate to what happens to him? What would you do if you faced the trials of Job?
If you go: Playcrafters presents “God’s Favorite” 2011 Store Road (The Barn) at Skippack Pike Skippack, PA March 31, April 1, 2, 8, 14, 15, 16, 8 pm
April 9, 2pm and 8pm April 10, 2pm Tickets: $18.00 www.playcrafters.org 610-584-4005