The divinely funny Act of God

Brave New Productions is back with the Broadway hit

By Byron Toben

May 9, 2024

What a pleasure to see Brave New Productions back in action again after the COVID hiatus! And here they were with the Broadway hit Act of God at the Mainline Theatre for a three-day run. Though it played on Broadway, it has a more off-Broadway or even Saturday Night Live feel to it.

Its theme is God Almighty, creator of the universe, reflecting on his memoir and, considering some mishaps and contradictions during this slice of eternity, deciding to forgo middlemen who forged the old and new testaments and write his own last testament, featuring a revised ten commandments.

It is not often that Montreal locals get to play God, as Cindy Davis did so well in Arthur Holden’s 2014 Book of Bob, but Donald Rees does so to perfection, flanked by angels Michael (Stephanie McKenna) and Gabriel (Nir Guzinski).

God decides that Adam’s companionship should be more inclusive and not gender limited (hence Adam and Steve), recalls special friendship with Abraham, the decision to have the great flood but preserves Noah and two of every creature, destroys Sodom and Gomorrah and turns Lot’s wife into a pillar of salt and takes pride in his only son, the middle child Jesus (the third born being Cathy).

It is not often that Montreal locals get to play God… but Donald Rees does so to perfection, flanked by angels Michael (Stephanie McKenna) and Gabriel (Nir Guzinski).

All in all, a shorter and funnier play than the 2011 musical Book of Mormon.

The Act of God novel and play was written by David Javerbaum and performed at the Mainline from May 2 to 4.

Images: courtesy of Brave New Productions

Other articles from Byron Toben
Other recent articles

Byron Toben, a past president of The Montreal Press Club, has been WestmountMag.ca’s theatre reviewer since July 2015. Previously, he wrote for since-terminated websites Rover Arts and Charlebois Post, print weekly The Downtowner, and print monthly The Senior Times. He also is an expert consultant on U.S. work permits for Canadians.