Review: HAND TO GOD Thrills at StageWest Theatre Company

A demon has possessed Des Moines, and he is hilarious. That demon being Tyrone, the Sunday school church puppet turned bad in StageWest's bitingly funny and 20th season opener Hand to God by Robert Askins. StageWest is known for bringing plays fresh off Broadway, and Hand to God is no exception, which ended its Broadway run just last January.

The puppet belongs to Jason (Charlie Reese), a shy teenager who is coping with the recent death of his father and dealing with his controlling mother (Stacy Brothers). Jason's mother Margery is coping by teaching local youth in Cypress, Texas how to praise the lord with hand puppets, a program approved by Pastor Greg (Jonathan deLima) who runs the church. The youth include bad boy Timothy (Matt Beary) and sweet girl Jessica (Katelyn McBurney). Things take a turn for the worse when Jason's puppet Tyrone becomes possessed (or does it?) and makes Jason say things that could only be uttered by The Devil. But, who is The Devil?

That is the question the cast tackles in the quick and rapid paced 80-minute play. Much praise must go to the fantastic Charlie Reese who easily makes the audience believe Tryone and Jason are separate beings. Reese is no stranger to puppeteering, as he also starred in StageWest's Avenue Q a couple seasons ago. His experience shows while he delivers the back and forth monologues with power and humor. Also exceptionally good is the rest of the small cast who all bring a little bit of southern charm (with sometimes slipping accents) and naughtiness. Special recognition must go to Katelyn McBurney as the thankless Jessica who steals the few scenes she is in (just wait until her outrageous final scene) and exits with a thunderous applause from the audience.

Speaking of audience, I sense the older viewers of Hand to God had different reactions to the play, which questions Christianity and The Devil. The setting of the play has striking similarities to a suburb of Des Moines, and I experienced flashbacks to my own Sunday school days when seeing Jay Jagim and Randy Young's church basement set with colorful crosses hanging above the audience. Director Todd Buchacker clearly took a risk by directing this raunchy and profane show to launch a season that he deemed to be rooted in Contemporary Theatre. His direction is strong and controlled as he forces his cast to go to limits that make the audience want to curl up and hide under their chairs. I can only wonder what the older women in front of me thought as Tyrone went on his blood hungry rampage. Was it just me, or did I see the man next to me praying at the end of the play?

Regardless of the possible mixed audience reaction, Hand to God is good. It is that type of good that makes you feel bad for loving it so much. I applaud StageWest for continuing to bring bold plays to Des Moines, but it was apparent during the pre-show talk that it takes a lot more than appreciation to bring these "fresh from Broadway" shows to Des Moines. Buchacker frankly stated that StageWest needs continual monetary support to put out these phenomenal shows. So go see Hand to God, go support this wonderful cast, and go make a donation if you like what you see. But, don't take my word for it - The Devil made me do it.

Hand to God by Robert Askins

StageWest Theatre Company

September 9-18, 2016

$20 - $33

Tickets: http://www.midwestix.com/organizations/stage-west

Donate: www.stagewestiowa.com or 515-309-0251