BWW Reviews: Whip-Smart Philosophical Comedy DISCORD Presents a Battle of Wits for the Ages

The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: DISCORD was written by Scott Carter, executive producer and writer for Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect and Real Time. This whip-smart philosophical comedy features Larry Cedar (Deadwood, PBS's Square One TV), David Melville (Travel Channel Lawrence of America, film Ironclad) and Armin Shimerman (Quark on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Associate Artistic Director at The Antaeus Company).

Produced at the NoHo Arts Center last January to rave reviews, this new comedy is based on the historical fact that Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, and Leo Tolstoy all wrote, or re-wrote their own versions of the Bible. Again helmed by director, Matt August, DISCORD brings these three great thinkers together in a room which appears to be a holding cell for heaven. They enter according to the time period in which they lived: first Jefferson, then Dickens, and finally Tolstoy. When each enters through the only door, it closes and locks, blocking the only way out. Thus begins their examination of why they have been brought together, what they could possibly have in common, and how can they possibly escape? It's a blistering battle of wits for the ages.

Carter got his first inspiration for the play in June 1986 after suffering a near-fatal asthma attack. After recovering, he vowed to become the better man, and began a spiritual journey to talk with anyone about God by reading their literature or attending a ceremony. During his years of research, Carter learned that in 1804 President Thomas Jefferson took a razor and cut out from a King James Bible the verses he liked from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Carter said, "his audacity in condensing Holy Scripture was compounded by what he edited out." Jefferson named his resulting volume "The Philosophy Of Jesus of Nazareth."

Ten years later, Carter found "The Life of Our Lord" by Charles Dickens. It turns out that Dickens, too, had written a gospel - for his children and, as Carter said, "He included all of the miracles that Jefferson's razor had cut out. There was a play: the two of them debate their visions of Christ." Later Carter found Stephen Mitchell's "The Gospel According To Jesus" only to discover that Leo Tolstoy had also abridged the gospels. So the debating duet became a trio.

After many rewrites, Carter is philosophical about what he has learned. In 1776, young slave-owner Thomas Jefferson asserted, in his Declaration of Independence, the, "self-evident," truth that all are "created equal," and endowed by God "with certain unalienable rights," including "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Carter said, "Jefferson's words sparked a revolution. After which, he became our Ambassador to France, just before their Revolution, which devolved into the Reign of Terror, which was described in "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens. And Dickens became the favorite novelist of young Leo Tolstoy."

Tolstoy's success as a novelist prompted a suicidal depression, which launched a spiritual journey, which culminated with his assertion that the central teaching of Jesus Christ is for us all to, "resist not evil." This was developed, as revolution fermented in Czarist Russia, into the technique of, "passive resistance," which Tolstoy described in the last letter he ever wrote, in 1910, to a young Mahatma Gandhi, who in turn inspired a young Martin Luther King, Jr. to apply the philosophy of passive resistance to the struggle for African American civil rights.

In order to recount the examination of the lives of a founding father, a Victorian novelist, and a Russian revolutionary, director Matt August along with casting director Michael Donovan, assembled a brilliant cast, each of whom fully embody the mind, body and spirit of their characters. Larry Cedar presents the redheaded Thomas Jefferson as both country farmer and world-renowned politico by the simplest of shifts in his walk, mannerisms, and posture. It is very apparent he is always listening to every word being said, always focused on the others and never wavering in his examination of his own mind. He is a man of reason, the emotional rock off of which the other two men jump to conclusions.

David Melville is the flashy Charles Dickens, dressed to the Victorian hilt in red tails and splendid double-toned shoes. At times, he seems to be channeling Oscar Wilde, completely over the top which no doubt was the fashion of his time. He shares Dickens restless spirit by constantly pacing and circling the central table in the austere room. The scene in which he describes the miracles in the Bible to his children was probably the most entertaining of the play with Melville prancing around and thoroughly ruffling Jefferson's feathers. The humor generated hearty laughs, especially during the debate between faith versus reason. And of course, Dickens constantly throws in quotes from his many novels, often generating knowing laughs from audience members.

Armin Shimerman is a wonder as Count Leo Tolstoy, dressed in peasant clothes, knee boots, with a full beard and matted hair. Often turning away from the others as he listens to their comments, he seems controlled until he is pushed a bit too far and reacts violently. Shimerman allows us to see the anger boiling under the surface at all times, especially when his more modern take on the gospels is challenged by the other men.

DISCORD runs 85 minutes without an intermission and requires the audience to pay attention as much as possible since every word spoken reveals much about the characters and the reasons they have been brought together to examine their beliefs and lives. You will learn much historical fact and come away knowing the truth will always set you free.

The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: DISCORD
Written by Scott Carter
Directed by Matt August
Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse
10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Wednesday, October 15 through Sunday, November 23, 2014
Monday No performance
Tuesday - Friday 8:00pm
Saturday 3:00pm; 8:00pm
Sunday 2:00pm; 7:00pm

Ticket prices are currently $59 - $74 and are available in-person at the Geffen Playhouse box office, via phone at 310.208.5454 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.com. Fees may apply.

Photos by Michael Lamont.

To post a comment, you must register and login.