Theater Thursday - An Act of God and De Novo

What: An Act of God

Where: George Street Playhouse
            103 College Farm Rd.
            New Brunswick, NJ

Who: Ages 13 and Up

When: Now through December 23

Mom's view: An Act of God is a play that ran on Broadway with Jim Parsons in the title role in 2015, and then again with Sean Hayes in the title role the following year. The show is about God wanting to update the Ten Commandments. The current version of the show playing at the George Street Playhouse is unique in that God is played by a woman. The show stars screen star Kathleen Turner in the title role. This gender reversal is very timely given the current state of the world where woman are asserting their power and standing up for themselves. Ms. Turner does a decent job in the role of God. She is like a parent practicing tough love on her children and forcing them to think and act for themselves and take responsbility for their actions. The show is entertaining and funny although people who take their religion very seriously might not like it nor is it a good show for young children.

For more information or to order tickets, visit georgestreetplayhouse.org/shows/show/act-god.
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What: De Novo

Where: Fourth Street Theater
             83 E. 4th St.
             New York, NY

Who: Ages 13 and Up

When: Now through December 22, 2017

Mom's view: De Novo is highly relevant show for today's world. It deals with the issue of immigration and whether or not a teenage boy who illegally immigrated to this country to join his mother and get away from his former gang that is now threatening his life. The issue is whether or not he should be deported. The story is based on a actual case history with dialogue taken from actual documents in the case. The choice of cases is a good one. There are definitely no easy answers here. On the one hand, the boy is most likely going to be killed if he is returned to his country; on the other when he comes to this country he immediately gets caught up in a gang again so he is not exactly a fine upstanding member of the community. If you like a show that makes you think hard and question what is going on in the world today, this show is a good choice.

For more information or to order tickets, visit www.nytw.org/show/de-novo/

Photo credits: All De Novo production photos by Russ Rowland