An Act of God (Sean Hayes)

"A gut-busting-funny riff on the never-ending folly of mankind’s attempts to fathom God’s wishes…Mr. Javerbaum’s wit, one is tempted to say, is almost as infinite as God’s wisdom. There’s a good gag a minute, maybe more, in this 90-minute show. And in Mr. Hayes, God has a delightful infinite-wisdom delivery system…'An Act of God,' could be fancifully viewed as one of God’s better-realized creations. It’s an hour and a half of comedy heaven, and I’d gladly watch it annually." Full Review

"Sadly, it's still just mildly amusing…Hayes brings an extra touch of frivolity to a play that really calls for it. The whole event feels like a Chelsea cocktail party, with God as our vain and capricious host. That's a role that Hayes mastered on 'Will & Grace' and he proves that he's still got it here…Those looking for a boundary-pushing night of comedy may be disappointed to find a parade of stale quips and feel-good morals tailored for the Broadway audience." Full Review

"David Javerbaum's cute and charming comedy…You'd be hard-pressed to find anything blasphemous or edgy in this breezy 90-minute riff that depicts its central character as a left-leaning social commentator…Under Joe Mantello's direction, this is an adorably smarmy God…There isn't a lot to chew on, but nevertheless 'An Act of God' is a tasty and sweet stick of bubble gum, full of good laughs and silly summer fun." Full Review

"I could say that the return engagement of 'An Act of God,' now with Sean Hayes, is a revelation, a miraculous epiphany or similar 'religious' experience. Truth to tell, I was already a believer. I thoroughly enjoyed David Javerbaum’s theological satire last summer when it starred Jim Parsons, and I could watch Hayes’s bratty-campy shtick all night…The script is packed with verbal wit and high-information comedy…But it also finds room for genuine notes of regret." Full Review

"When Parsons played the role, his charm pulled the audience through these dark and thrilling passages. Hayes isn’t charming; rather, he’s 'charming.' His stage presentation involves multiple reflections of insincerity. The funny parts are slightly less funny as a result...On the other hand, the dark parts are more despairing, the shell of shtick providing no defense now...The show barely recovers its balance in time for God’s big number...But maybe that’s what He, or Javerbaum, wanted." Full Review

"Was it really necessary to bring the well-intended but underwhelming comedic monologue 'An Act of God' back to Broadway with Sean Hayes?...Even at just 90 minutes, 'An Act of God' is long-winded and full of unoriginal jabs at easy targets, but it is cute and occasionally witty...Hayes has terrific stage presence and makes for a giddy, loosened-up and irreverent host. 'An Act of God' may be slight, but it more than suits Hayes’ abilities as a stand-up comic." Full Review

"David Javerbaum’s yuk-a-minute comedy…The beauty of the script, directed by ubiquitous Joe Mantello, is not only that every single one-line gag lands solidly but also that Javerbaum has wrapped a commendable religious philosophy in a comic package. Amen to him." Full Review

"As an act, it is what it is, and you're either going to like it or not; when it gets into Play territory, it's more desperate...Hayes is a delightful, impish comic actor, who can simultaneously appear weighty and not actually be so, traits that are just right for the playful Deity...As good as Hayes is with the comedy, he has yet to lock down the (few) serious moments...If Hayes's performance, like 'An Act of God' itself, is hardly to be worshiped, they're both effective on its own terms." Full Review

"Hayes carries the whole 90 minutes lightly on his narrow shoulders, glibly rewriting the commandments...Joe Mantello's direction is flawless...'An Act of God' is only sort of a play; it’s more stand-up comedy leashed to a talk-show couch...We, the audience, had a wonderful time. There is a whiff of sacrilege for the devout, perhaps, and a breakneck pace that gins up the energy in the room...The Booth rocks with laughter for a divine Hayes." Full Review

"It's still basically an extended standup solo dressed up as a full-fledged play with spectacular stagecraft…No matter who's cast as God, Javerbaum's riff on civilization's most famous rule book is funny and clever, but hardly so much so that I was overjoyed at the prospect at seeing it again…Hayes knows how to charm the audience…His God is more physical and shtickier, though, to be fair, he doesn't overdo this." Full Review

"Hayes is playing the title role in David Javerbaum’s often hilarious and somewhat irreverent comedy 'An Act of God'...Hayes’ primary job (as 'God') is to deliver a new, updated version of the Ten Commandments...Hayes is also unexpectedly touching as 'God'. As much as Javerbaum intends to make us laugh, he also manages us to make us think...As for me, I just command you to revel in the remarkable talent of Sean Hayes while you have the chance." Full Review

A mostly very funny 90-minute evening…The dry-witted Parsons and the playful Hayes have very different comic personas, but they share the talent of knowing how to deliver a joke, with the result that both performances are equally strong…The production has a loose vibe, but is actually tightly scripted...The spontaneity is an artful illusion...The show even has a message. But it’s the cascade of jokes that make the evening go." Full Review

"I laughed, robustly and often…The set-up of Javerbaum’s effective satire, directed by Joe Mantello, has the creator of the universe taking us through an all new edgy and transgressive set of commandments...There is some staginess in the script that remains a touch forced. A bit about a ringing cellphone in the audience is overkill…But more apparent are fresh and wicked updates.” Full Review

"A romp...Don't go expecting an out-of-body experience. This one rakes religion over the coals in probably the nicest and funniest of ways...Mr. Hayes is a natural ham who knows his lines and knows how to improvise, entertain, and satiate your comedy soul...For a light, funny, entertaining evening with Mr. Hayes, run over to the Booth Theatre for a good laugh. Just don't be late." Full Review

"A one-joke sketch dragged out to, er, ungodly lengths, 'An Act of God' feels like little more than a cash grab…Some of the jokes hit, but just as many miss, and the occasional attempts at gravitas just come off as awkward...Hayes is certainly a genial presence, and he's particularly sly when directly interacting with the audience. But material this threadbare would barely suffice as a lounge act on a cruise ship, much less in a Broadway theater." Full Review

"Sean Hayes accomplishes what seems like a divine feat: transforming what previously felt like a bloated late-night sketch into an enjoyable vehicle for his distinct and mighty talents...His humor is never without teeth or less than perfectly timed...While it still drags at times, this resurrection of the celestial comedy is decidedly more entertaining with Hayes leading the charge — less like a joke-addled, liberal diatribe and more like a show you’d actually pay to see." Full Review

"This time around God is in the body of Emmy Award winner Sean Hayes, with mostly heavenly results...Sean Hayes as God is more sarcastic, delivers the dialogue with more of an edge and, well, does at times seem like Jack McFarland as our Heavenly Father...Worth a second look, even if you caught it last year with Parsons...Besides Hayes, the other true star is the clever script by David Javerbaum...Joe Mantello has a fine gift for extracting the best from his actors who engage in monologues." Full Review