OUR PUPPET, WHO ART IN HELL,
HALLOWED BE THY BLAME
When a newly widowed mom tries to lead three teens in a wholesome, Lutheran, extra-curricular church class, tasked with creating a Christian puppet show, what could go wrong? Thankfully for us, plenty, in Robert Askins’ gripping, darkly-comic drama which premiered Off-Broadway in 2011.
Adam Daniel
Adam Daniel
Trying to fill her empty life with something of value, Margery (Rebecca Crigler) agrees to run the class, but struggles to keep decorum in the church basement classroom. One of her students, good-girl Jessica (Samantha Ginn), is amiable enough, but often loses her cool around handsome-but-bitter, ne’er-do-well teen-punk Timothy (Devin Wade). Timothy constantly brings out the worst in everyone and has no desire to do puppetry but has his own motives for attending. Meanwhile, Margery is fending off unwanted romantic advances from the church’s minister, Pastor Greg (Dave Rivas).
Rebecca Crigler, Devin Wade, Samantha Ginn and Adam Daniel
From the outset, we can see something is definitely troubling Margery’s son, Jason (Adam Daniel). It isn’t until we see Jason alone with his puppet that we come to understand why: “Tyrone”, his bug-eyed, fierce-looking hand puppet with sharp teeth, has taken over the arm and soul of this troubled teen. No friendly companion, Tyrone actually confronts Jason, pushing every button in his fragile, unconfident world and threatening Jason if he dare remove him from his arm. The problem escalates when, to Jason’s powerless horror, Tyrone begins interaction with other people independently. The question we’re mesmerized by is, where does Jason end and Tyrone begin?
Devin Wade and Adam Daniel
Mr. Daniel makes no attempt at ventriloquism, which makes sense since he’s playing a teen who just started puppetry, but that steals nothing from relishing the fiery pace of Tyrone and Jason’s arguing, or from absorbing Tyrone as a unique, enthralling character. The actor is adept at creating this visual schizophrenia, making Jason’s anguish palpable. The teen is torn between his conscience and his doubts: Could this childish-looking personification of evil be right? At least sometimes? The altercations between puppet and teen are some of the most spellbinding parts of the show.
Samantha Ginn, Rebecca Crigler & Adam Daniel
Rebecca Crigler, Dave Rivas & Adam Daniel
With the warning that this show is R-rated, except for more sensitive souls, most theatergoers should be able to tolerate that this very dark comedy is unquestionably blasphemous, cruel, sexually-charged, and downright creepy at times.
Adam Daniel & Rebecca Crigler
It is as witty as it is shocking, and the performances are excellent. Hand to God saw its last local large-scale production at the now-defunct San Diego Rep at the Lyceum. That program took the actors to further extremes. Here, director Phil Johnson, while still keeping the show’s premise strong, gives the characters a little more humanity. Deanna Driscoll’s performance in that show, for instance, left the impression that she was only a step less wacky than her son; by contrast, Ms. Crigler’s portrayal, especially in Act II, gives us more empathy for her. Likewise, the Rep’s Caleb Foote as Jason was more blatantly tortured and extremely physical (albeit, he had a larger stage than that at Diversionary); here, Mr. Daniels is beautifully subtle in his anguish, counting more on his face than his body to convey his fears and longings. Even Pastor Greg, whose power-unbalance moves upon Margery, feels more redeemable here in Mr. Johnson’s version.
Adam Daniel & Samantha Ginn
Dave Rivas & Rebecca Crigler
This highly recommended play is not so much a common horror story about a monstrous puppet á la Chucky as it is a twisted exposé of what lurks just beneath the veneer of a society that is barely holding itself together. Religion takes a hefty bashing but Askins never lets the Church take the full blame; it is our flawed selves that give religion its power to do as much harm as good.
Rebecca Crigler & Devin Wade
photos by Daren Scott
Hand to God
Roustabouts Theatre Company
Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Boulevard in San Diego
Thurs-Sat at 7:30; Sat and Sun at 2
ends on March 31, 2024
for tickets, call 619.568.5800 or visit The Roustabouts Theatre Co.
