Review: HAND TO GOD at The Ringwald Theatre is an Exceptionally Funny Puppet Filled Play!

What do you get when you mix puppets, the talented actors at The Ringwald Theatre, and Tony Award-nominated comedy? An excellent night of theatre that will keep you laughing and maybe even make you think when all is said and done. The Ringwald's production of Hand to God is quick witted, off-beat, exceptionally acted with outstanding puppetry, and is not the typical happy-go-lucky stage show, but it is one of the funniest shows you will see this season.

Hand to God takes place in small town of Texas at the Christian Puppet Ministry where after the death of his father, Jason, played by Joshua Daniel Palmer, a fearsome creature has taken over his left arm. That creature is none other than his sock puppet Tyrone, also played by Palmer, and the show explores his complicated relationships with him, his mother (Dyan Bailey), his pastor (Mike McGettigan), the school bully (Mike Suchyta) and the girl next door (Taylor Marrow). They all have to figure out what happens after Tyrone takes over Jason's arm and what exactly this means for their lives.

Joshua Daniel Palmer completely stands out in the show as Jason and Tyrone. As an actor without the puppet, he is hard not to watch on stage. He is vibrant even when trying not to be. Add the puppetry work to his acting skills on stage and Palmer is a force to be reckoned with. He is incredible; there is just no other way to describe it. Some of the best moments of the show are when Jason and Tyrone are talking to themselves as it literally seems like there are two people on the stage. Bravo to a job well done!

The New Yorker described the show briefly and best when it was on Broadway by stating, "Sesame Street meets The Exorcist." Sounds extreme and kind of crazy, but that is what Hand to God is, extreme and crazy, yet The Ringwald executes it perfectly.

Please note: Hand to God contains material not suitable for children.

Hand to God is running until March 13th at The Ringwald Theatre in Ferndale. For more information or tickets, visit www.TheRingwald.com.

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