'Hand to God' at Western CT State University - A Review

Danbury, CT - The students in the Western CT State University Department of Theatre Arts has launched a production of the controversial play HAND TO GOD. The show was written by Robert Askins and the WCSU production was directed by Sal Trapani.

“The devil made me do it!”

The description of the piece is pretty tame: “The good children of Cypress, Texas are taught to obey the Bible in order to evade Satan’s hand. But when students at the Christian Puppet Ministry put those teachings into practice, one devout young man’s puppet takes on a shocking personality that no one could have expected. In this hilarious and lightning-paced comedy, a foul-mouthed sock puppet named Tyrone soon teaches those around him that the urges that can drive a person to give in to their darkest desires fit like a glove.”

“The devil is in the details.” - Dramaturg Sydney Maher

The play definitely goes for a healthy dose of shock value, but I guess that I am not too easily offended. Was it blasphemous? I didn’t think so. I am not really sure that I completely understood the point it was trying to make, even after reading the notes from the show’s dramaturg Sydney Maher. Ms. Maher correctly notes that “Askins takes the story of a Lutheran widow and her troubled teen-age son and turns her entire world upside down in an extremely disturbing chain of events, pushing them to act in frighteningly unfamiliar ways.” The dramaturg suggests that we consider these questions as we watch the production: “Does Askins suggest religion is used as a way to get closer to God or to hide from possible fears? Is he suggesting the existence of the devil justifiably excuses inexcusable behaviors?”

Search me! Some parts reminded me a bit of AVENUE Q, but there were certainly no silly musical numbers in this one. Perhaps I have been desensitized to the shock value; I am not sure about the older members of the WCSU audience. I can report that the college-aged audience members that came out to support their classmate loved every minute.

The talented WCSU rose to the challenges of their strongly drawn characters. The role of the teen-aged son Jason, and his sock puppet Tyrone, was masterfully played by Will Stewich (THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI,) a sophomore from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, with a strong skill set in puppetry. Not only did he have to memorize a huge number of lines, he had to deliver half of them in the voice of the puppet, and he did so flawlessly. Sophomore Corey Stanley (THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI) understudied this challenging role.

The widowed mother of Jason was shared by junior Kelsey Lepesko and junior Chelsea Weaver. Ms. Lepesko of Stratford appeared in THE WILD PARTY and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. Isabella Bosco of Delaware, Ohio was their understudy. I believe that Ms. Lepesko performed at the matinee that I attended and she bravely played the demanding role. Jamie Leo, a junior Theatre Performance/Management double major from Southbury, shared the role of Jessica with WCSU junior Jordan Cowan, and I think it was Ms. Cowan I saw in this role of Jason’s crush. She is a Theatre Performance and Design Tech major from Sherman and appeared in THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI and has worked behind the scenes at Sharon Playhouse. Freshmans Laura Roberts understudied the role of Jessica.

Zach Brown, a sophomore from Griswold, was appropriately scary in the role of Timmy. Ryan Hemstock from Orange was his understudy. Tyler Gallaher, now a senior Musical Theatre major from Wappingers Falls, NY, was memorable in the role of Pastor Gregg. This talented actor appeared as Underling in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE and PETER AND THE STARCATCHER at WCSU, as well as ANYTHING GOES and THE MUSIC MAN with Sharon Playhouse. Sophomore Braeden Stout understudied the pastor. I wished that an announcement had been made indicating which actors were appearing in the performance.

Katie Girardot worked hard as the fight captain to keep all of the actors safe. Elizabeth Popiel designed the wonderfully detailed set as well as the character specific costumes. Scott Cally was in charge of the lighting that included extremely effective black outs to allow for set changes. Silvio Sweet was in charge of sound, that included some gospel and contemporary Christian music before the loud heavy metal that signaled the beginning of the acts. (Loved it!) Technical director was JP Misciagna, technical coordinator was Kori Hansen, and Pam McDaniel was the show’s producer. Chris Bolan as dialect coach made sure that the players sounded Southern enough.

HAND TO GOD is presented with one 15-minute intermission and runs through March 8 in the Studio Theatre at the VPAC on the Westside Campus of WCSU, 43 Lake Avenue Extension in Danbury. There is plenty of parking near the theatre. Be forewarned that there is a lot of adult content, graphic scenes of a sexual nature and violence complete with (fake) blood. The folding chairs in the front rows on the side were marked with “Splash Zone” warnings on them. There are loud sound effects and flashing lights used as well. Definitely not for children or the easily offended.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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