TAKING HOLD OF EVIL
Robert Askins’ 2011 two-act Hand to God is both an existential, insightful commentary on religious hypocrisy and a hysterical dramedy about Tyrone, a possessed sock puppet with a raunchy mouth, violent tendencies, and an overactive sex drive. Given the religious right’s current/ongoing tirade against art, books, sensible gun laws, women’s autonomy (need I go on?), this Tony-nominated play about a Youth Christian Puppet Ministry that meets in the basement of a suburban Texas church packs a punch. While the tone is like The Exorcist as filtered through South Park, there is an honest emotional center within the play.
Lea Madda, Luke Wehner
The strong five-person ensemble is superbly led by Luke Wehner as Jason. But the true main character of the play is Tyrone, who gradually emerges as a menace to the Christian puppet ministry. This becomes a big problem for Jason when Tyrone usurps his left arm revealing his innermost thoughts and desires.
Aleisha Force, Kenny Stevenson
Jason’s widowed and distraught mom, Margery, who leads the puppet ministry, believes Tyrone is possessed by the devil ’” and demands that Pastor Greg perform an exorcism. But Tyrone is not so easily managed and he overpowers Jason, revealing his repression as all manner of lust and violence is unleashed. In the process, Jason, unleashed, confronts his mom about her bad life choices. He attacks bully Timothy and hits on Jessica who are the only other ministry participants. Ultimately, all of the characters in Askins’ play, with the exception perhaps of Jessica, must grapple with impulsive behaviors that undermine the conventional wisdom of their religious upbringing.
Luke Wehner, Aleisha Force, Kenny Stevenson
As Jason and Tyrone, Wehner’s acting chops are on full display, particularly when they are in dialogue with each other, making the play’s duality explicit. Wehner seamlessly manipulates the puppet while switching voices and personas as the two argue, often violently. Before long, we are seeing Tyrone as a separate being, a shocking and extraordinarily animated individual. I expected to read all about Wehner’s puppetry background in his bio, but I didn’t. I can only assume he is not a seasoned puppeteer. If that is indeed the case, it makes his portrayal that much more impressive.
Lea Madda, Blake Kevin Dwyer, Aleisha Force, Kenny Stevenson
Lea Madda is grounded, conscientious, and highly compelling as Jessica, the girl next door and object of Jason’s affections. Aleisha Force as Jason’s mom, Margery, is on fire as she trembles on the brink of a nervous break-down. Blake Kevin Dwyer is quite funny conveying the lusty teen angst of Timothy. Kenny Stevenson accurately provides bombast and flirtation as Pastor Greg. Director Craig Wells handles the absurd comedy of the piece very well while underscoring the dark, tragic underbelly of the story.
Aleisha Force, Blake Kevin Dwyer
photos by David A. Lee
Hand to God
Coachella Valley Repertory
CVRep Playhouse, 68510 E. Palm Canyon Drive in Cathedral City
Tues-Sat at 7; Sat and Sun at 2; run time 105 minutes with intermission
ends on April 9, 2023
for tickets ($63), call 760.296.2966 or visit CVR
