The VerdictThe Verdict: Read Reviews of Broadway's Devilish Puppet Comedy Hand to GodDid critics love it? Reviews are now coming in for the Broadway premiere of Robert Askins' irreverent and outlandish comedy Hand to God, which opens tonight at the Booth Theatre.
By
Playbill Staff
April 07, 2015
Steven Boyer in Hand to GodJoan Marcus
Producer Kevin McCollum's three years of development on this play include its previous acclaimed productions at the Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST) in 2011 and its more recent Off-Broadway debut at MCC Theater in 2014.
Curious about Hand to God? Check out what critics are talking about in the video below!
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The provocative play features the complete cast of the 2014 MCC Theater production. Steven Boyer ("The Wolf of Wall Street," King Lear) stars as Jason/Tyrone with Geneva Carr (Broadway debut) as Margery, Tony Award nominee Marc Kudisch (9 to 5) as Pastor Greg, Sarah Stiles (Into the Woods, Avenue Q) as Jessica and Michael Oberholtzer (Broadway debut) as Timmy.
Boyer received an Obie Award, the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Leading Actor in a Play, the Actors' Equity Association Clarence Derwent Award for Most Promising Newcomer and a citation from the Drama League for Distinguished Performance, among other awards.
Hand to God, according to producer McCollum, "centers on shy, inquisitive student Jason, who finds an outlet for his burgeoning creativity at the Christian Puppet Ministry in the devoutly religious, relatively quiet small town of Cypress, Texas. Jason's complicated relationships with the town pastor, the school bully, the girl next door and — most especially — his mother are thrown into further upheaval when Jason’s hand puppet Tyrone — once soft-spoken — takes on a shocking and dangerously irreverent personality all its own. As Tyrone’s influence over Jason steadily grows, Hand to God explores the startlingly fragile nature of faith, morality, and the ties that bind us."
The design team for Hand to God includes scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costumes by Sydney Maresca, lighting by Jason Lyons, sound by Jill BC Du Boff, puppet design by Marte Johanne Ekhougen and fight direction by Robert Westley. Casting is by Telsey + Company.
The People (and Puppet) of Broadway's Hand to God Let Loose at Playwright-Bartender Robert Askins' Brooklyn Watering Hole
The People (and Puppet) of Broadway's Hand to God Let Loose at Playwright-Bartender Robert Askins' Brooklyn Watering Hole
Hand to God, starring Steven Boyer in his acclaimed performance as a boy and his foul-mouthed hand puppet, will begin previews March 14. The cast and press met for drinks Feb. 26 at Lobo, the Brooklyn watering hole where playwright Robert Askins still tends bar.
