Review: Victory Gardens' Wickedly Funny HAND TO GOD

Robert Askins' Tony-nominated comedy HAND TO GOD is receiving its Chicago premiere at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater and the end results are a devilish delight. This is the funniest comedy you are likely to see this season.

The plot is Jim Henson's "The Muppet Show" meets Goethe's Faust, but it's adult humor and language definitely isn't for the kiddies. After the sudden death of her husband, Margery (Janelle Snow) attempts to work through her grief by directing the Christian puppet show for her Texas church. Her shy son Jason (Alex Weisman) manages to find his voice through puppetry; so connected to his puppet Tyrone, he literally never takes him off his right hand. Though he is teased by the puppet troupe's resident bad boy Timothy (Curtis Edward Jackson), Jason uses Tyrone to impress fellow puppeteer Jessica (Nina Ganet). Tyrone is not content with being just a puppet in Jason's efforts to woo Jessica and springs to life, telling Jessica all they impure thoughts Jason has for her.

It all literally goes to hell from there. When Pastor Greg (Eric Slater) accuses Jason/Tyrone of being possessed by The Devil, Tyrone is only too willing to embrace the identity of a trash-talking, foul-mouthed demonic entity.

Weisman is wonderful in the Jekyll and Hyde role of the confused and scared Jason and dirty little sock puppet who enables him to finally stand up for himself. One particular scene where Jason is asleep in his bed only to be woken up by Tyrone is particularly well-choreographed and acted, so much so that Tyrone truly feels alive.

Snow's role is a bit more challenging as her character is so grief-stricken, she ends up making some truly horrible choices. Snow earns our sympathies as her life slowly begins to unravel because of some of those choices, though.

As Timothy, Jackson is equal parts cruel and clueless and exceeds at the physical comedy aspects of the role. He's involved with the puppet group because of his crush on Margery, thinks he knows the answers to everything and ends up having his heart broken a bit when he dips his toes into the confusing world of adult relationships.

As the lonely preacher who has unrequited feelings for Margery, Slater manages to dance along a fine line between concerned and creepy. You're never quite sure if he is motivated by his faith or his passion.

Ganet's Jessica is probably the most pure of the lot. Head-strong and capable of handling herself, she takes charge of things at the right moment in an act of unselfishness.

Directory Gary Griffin has assembled a terrific cast, keeps the pace brisk and succeeds in emphasizing the laughs over the horror.

Askins' script disarms you with its humor and then hits you with a thought-provoking notion about human morality. It is far too easy to say The Devil made you do it instead of taking responsibility for your actions.

Sometimes, you just need to hear that from the foul mouth of a demonic, yet lovable sock puppet for it to resonate.

HAND TO GOD runs through Oct. 23 at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln. Tickets $15-$60. 773.871.3000 or www.victorygardens.org.

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