Review: THE GOD OF ISAAC
James Sherman's play The God of Isaac originally premiered at Chicago's Victory Gardens in 1985 and helped launch Sherman's career. It uses a play-within-a-play structure as Isaac Adams tries to recap for us his search for spiritual identity. Born into a Jewish family, he never really took his faith seriously and has not attended services since his Bar Mitzvah. Now established as a successful writer and married to a "skiksa" goddess, the risingly successful model Shelly; he begins a journey of discovery.
The result is often hysterically funny and at times surreptitiously touching. The performers under Ari Weisberg's crisp direction keep the play moving at a quick and steady pace building to a correct yet surprising ending.
As Isaac, Lorn Eisen is marvel. He focuses our attention on the story at hand, acting as both narrator and performer while guiding us from place to place. It is a confident performance that never once loses focus, even as he deals with interruptions from his meddlesome but loving mother.
Andria Siegler plays her in a delicious performance that places the actress in the audience to watch Isaac's play. Not one to hold her tongue when she disagrees with what she sees on stage, you never know when she is going to comment on some detail. These outbursts are a constant source of laughter yet Siegler never overplays the stereotype.
On balance, Limor Markovzki plays Chaya, the former girlfriend and now best pal of Isaac whose own life takes some frustrating turns that she documents in a series of touching letters. The playwright delicately shifts sympathy to Chaya while creating a strong and independent character for Shelly, Isaac's wife. Shelly never quite understands why it is suddenly so important for Isaac to connect with his spiritual roots. It is a role that could seem unnecessarily harsh but given Erin Tancock's sensitive handling, the character comes across as vividly three-dimensional.
Add to this a series of cameo roles played by chameleons Sam Walters and Miles Cohen and you have a top notch ensemble cast that make every moment in this short but fascinating play count. It's all greatly enhanced by Daniel Sonenberg's creative yet unobtrusive lighting.
This play sheds light on a universal theme that will provide far more than just ninety minutes of sparkling entertainment. Don't miss it!
Teatron presents The God of Isaac by James Sherman at the Leah Posluns Theatre, 4588 Bathurst St, until Sunday March 25. Performances are at 8 Pm Thursday, 9:15 PM Saturday and 2 PM Sunday. For info or tickets go to www.teatrontheatre.com or call (416) 781-5527.
Mark Andrew Lawrence presents FRONT ROW CENTRE, Sunday nights at 7:00 on FOXY 88.5 FM. This week featuring the current Broadway hit BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
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