Review: GOD'S MAN IN TEXAS Charismatically Commands Your Presence and You Must Go

GOD'S MAN IN TEXAS/written & directed by David Rambo/The Blank Theatre's 2nd Stage/thru September 5, 2015

In GOD'S MAN IN TEXAS, multi-hyphenate David Rambo has written a very smart and involving script on the inner workings of a successful Baptist church empire. Rambo also quite ably directs his trio of highly skilled actors in a firmly-reined, tight, well-crafted production.

The pastoral search committee of the Rock Baptist Church in Houston, Texas has been interviewing for the eminent replacement of their close-to-retirement-age pastor, the very popular Dr. Philip Gottschall. We, the audience, bear witness to Dr. Jerry Mears, pastor of a smaller church in San Antonio, as he goes through his audition/interview process with some over-enthusiastic help and unsolicited advice from Hugo, Pastor Gottschall's all-around assistant and sound technician (He mikes the Pastor and anyone who needs to speak to the congregation).

All three actors adeptly give their respective roles the distinct qualities essential to the believability and realism of their characters.

Brian Letscher fully utilizes his commanding stage presence and his versatile vocal dynamics to inhabit this Dr. Mears, the up-and-coming pastor predestined for pulpit greatness. Letscher's not only effective as a hell-and-fire spouting preacher; but in a split second, he's your wise, comforting, soft-spoken mentor. Nice!

Ted Heyck, as Dr. Gottschall, the revered, long-time pastor of the Rock Baptist Church conglomerate (TV network, school campuses, bowling alley and movie theatre), possesses all the necessary grits, guts and mastery of the tongue that's required of a charismatic sheepherder of thousands. Heyck also seamlessly reveals the desperation and the fear of being put out to pasture by his much younger successor.

As Pastor Bottschall's right-hand man Hugo, Tom Costello's a tightly wound creature of unaware, purposely annoying in-your-face interference, while a constant, moving mess of insecurities. You cannot take your eyes off of Costello. His entire body language (down to his curling fingertips) telegraphs each of his extreme and expressive emotions. And as there's more and more underlying exposed in Hugo's not-so-innocent character, you get enticed in finding out just what Hugo will do next. Costello's a scene-stealing, yet totally supportive team player!

Production values for The Blank Theatre's 2nd Stage receive first-rate execution with the single church inner sanctum set designed by Chad Dellinger, the scene-changing spotlighting by Martha Carter, and complementary sound effects by Cricket Myers.

Whatever your religious denomination, you need to experience David Rambo's Rock Baptist Church. Can I hear an "Amen!"?

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