Steve Schwartz (upper right) is Gabriel, Emily Scott is God and Brandon Silberstein is Michael. (Photo by Palo Alto Players)
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Palo Alto Players has turned to Zoom to open its 90th season with David Javerbaum’s “An Act of God.”
Instead of appearing on a stage, the actors speak in
front of webcams. Thus they and the audience are deprived of real action.
The story goes something like this: God (Emily
Scott) is issuing a new version of the Ten Commandments and trying to explain
phenomena ranging from the creation as described in Genesis through Noah and
his ark to the good and bad things that have happened over the millennia.
She’s aided by two archangels, Gabriel (Steve
Schwartz) and Michael (Brandon Silberstein). Both wear a suit and tie adorned
by wings (costumes by Melissa Sanchez). Behind each one is a blue sky with
clouds (scenography by Scott Ludwig).
Gabriel, the older of the two, says little except
when he intones each new commandment. Michael is more animated and often asks
the questions supposedly submitted by viewers. In the meantime, viewer chats appear
on the bottom of the screen.
This production is preceded by a warning that some
content is adult in nature, most of it sexual.
Although the show produces an ample share of laughs,
including from references to current events, it becomes monotonous. Moreover,
Scott has a tendency to overact as God, trying to sound authoritative.
Some of the reason lies with the format itself, and
some perhaps with director Debi Durst.
Jeff Grafton designed the effective sound, while the
lighting design is by Matt Web.
Despite the show’s shortcomings, it’s most welcome
to those who so acutely miss live theater.
Running about 90 minutes with no intermission, “An
Act of God” will continue at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays,
and 2 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 20.
Streaming tickets are sold on a pay what you choose
scale ranging from $15 to $40.
They’re available at www.paplayers.org or at (650) 329-0891.
