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James Sherman's play The God of Isaac originally premiered at
Chicago's Victory Gardens in 1985 and helped launch Sherman's
career. It uses a play-within-a-play structure as Isaac Adams tries
to recap for us his search for spiritual identity. Born into a
Jewish family, he never really took his faith seriously and has not
attended services since his Bar Mitzvah. Now established as a
successful writer and married to a "shiksa" goddess, the risingly
successful model Shelly; he begins a journey of discovery.
The result is often hysterically funny and at times surreptitiously
touching. The performers under Ari Weisberg's crisp direction keep
the play moving at a quick and steady pace building to a correct yet
surprising ending.
As Isaac, Lorn Eisen is marvel. He focuses our attention on the
story at hand, acting as both narrator and performer while guiding
us from place to place. It is a confident performance that never
once loses focus, even as he deals with interruptions from his
meddlesome but loving mother.
Andria Siegler plays her in a delicious performance that places the
actress in the audience to watch Isaac's play. Not one to hold her
tongue when she disagrees with what she sees on stage, you never
know when she is going to comment on some detail. These outbursts
are a constant source of laughter yet Siegler never overplays the
stereotype.
On balance, Limor Markovzki plays Chaya, the former girlfriend and
now best pal of Isaac whose own life takes some frustrating turns
that she documents in a series of touching letters. The playwright
delicately shifts sympathy to Chaya while creating a strong and
independent character for Shelly, Isaac's wife. Shelly never quite
understands why it is suddenly so important for Isaac to connect
with his spiritual roots. It is a role that could seem unnecessarily
harsh but given Erin Tancock's sensitive handling, the character
comes across as vividly three-dimensional.
Add to this a series of cameo roles played by chameleons Sam Walters
and Miles Cohen and you have a top notch ensemble cast that make
every moment in this short but fascinating play count. It's all
greatly enhanced by Daniel Sonenberg's creative yet unobtrusive
lighting.
This play sheds light on a universal theme that will provide far
more than just ninety minutes of sparkling entertainment. Don't miss
it!
Teatron presents The God of Isaac by James Sherman at the Leah
Posluns Theatre, 4588 Bathurst St, until Sunday March 25.
Performances are at 8 Pm Thursday, 9:15 PM Saturday and 2 PM Sunday.
For info or tickets go to www.teatrontheatre.com or call (416)
781-5527.
Mark Andrew Lawrence presents FRONT ROW CENTRE, Sunday nights at
7:00 on FOXY 88.5 FM. This week featuring the current Broadway hit
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
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reviews... |
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THE
CHOSEN |THE
SISTERS ROSENSWEIG | THE GOD OF ISAAC |
CHAIM’S LOVE SONG |A
GLIMPSE OF THE LIGHT | THE DYBBUK
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