An Act of God (Sean Hayes) NYC Reviews and Tickets

"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."
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"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."
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"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."
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"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."
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"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."
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"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."
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"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."
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"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."
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