 |
| Wayne Wilcox (left), Elijah Alexander, Shannon Tyo and Denmo Ibrahim appear as characters from centuries ago. |
“The Good Book” examines the Bible from two
characters’ very different perspectives while taking them through
difficult journeys of belief.
Berkeley Repertory Theatre is staging the West Coast
premiere of this ever-fascinating drama by Denis O’Hare and Lisa Peterson.
 |
| Annette O'Toole plays the scholarly Miriam. |
One of the main characters is Miriam (Annette
O’Toole), an atheist and biblical scholar. She calls the Bible “the most
powerful and dangerous book in America today.”
To her it isn’t the word of God
but a collection of stories created by many people, handed down through the
ages and translated from many languages.
 |
| Keith Nobbs plays the struggling Connor. |
The other is Connor (Keith Nobbs), a Catholic who
calls himself a Biblehead and who wants to become a priest, at least when he’s
a young boy.
He first is seen as an 8-year-old who commits his
innermost thoughts to his new tape recorder. As he enters his
teens and 20s, however, he struggles with his faith and his sexual identity.
Miriam must confront some of her ideas when a young
journalist, played by Shannon Tyo, wants to write a New Yorker article about
her. Going through Miriam’s files, the writer finds her girlhood diary and asks
about her mother, who died when Miriam was about 9.
Miriam also must deal with her longtime lover,
played by Elijah Alexander, a Middle Easterner whom she seldom sees because
he’s an archeologist who goes on months-long digs overseas.
During Act 1, Alexander, Tyo, Lance Gardner, Denmo
Ibrahim and Wayne Wilcox appear as a variety
of characters like Miriam’s college students, Connor’s family and friends, and
both known and unknown historical figures.
As the act ends, Miriam has been in a serious car
accident and Connor is ready to shoot himself.
Act 2 finds Connor about to be released from a
mental hospital and Miriam in a state of
unconsciousness that takes her to important places in her life.
Eventually the two meet, and their fates become
known.
This is an epic play that goes far deeper than the
principal plot. It’s informative for those who don’t know much about the origin
of the Bible and it’s absorbing as Connor and Miriam go through their lives.
It’s also quite entertaining because of its many other characters.
Finally, it’s an impressive display of virtuoso
acting by everyone, especially O’Toole as Miriam and Nobbs as Connor, thanks to
their talent and to the astute direction by co-author Peterson.
The action takes place on a sparsely furnished stage
with just a few folding metal chairs and tables, augmented by lighting designer
Alexander V. Nichols’ projections; Lydia Tanji’s costumes, many suited to quick
changes; and sound by Charles Coes and Mark Bennett. Bennett also wrote the
music that’s so effectively used in the play.
Although the play is long, about two hours and 40
minutes with one intermission, it seems to go by quickly.
“The Good Book” will continue through June 9 in
Berkeley Rep’s Peet’s Theatre, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley.
Photos by Alessandra Mello
