Review: DISCORD Is Revelation Lite Well Served

Inspired by an unusual Bible story, and with the keen eye of a sophisticated parodist, Scott Carter, an executive producer of Real Time with Bill Maher, culminated nearly three decades of research and rewrites with the 2014 L.A. premiere of THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, CHARLES DICKENS AND COUNT LEO TOLSTOY: DISCORD.

The unusual Bible story belongs to the third President of the United States, who, as recounted in an October 1988 episode of Bill Moyers' A World of Ideas, abridged the holy book to his own rationalistic preferences. Carter watched the show, and thus was the seed planted for the concept that flowered into DISCORD.

The estimable Arizona Theatre Company is now treating its patrons to this ambitious and comical exegesis (pronounced exe-Jesus, and meaning a critical interpretation of Scripture), involving three titans of their respective eras ~ TJ, now joined by Dickens and Tolstoy. The trio of theological duelists are confined, upon their demises, in a sterile cell, destined to argue their perspectives on faith, reason, and the meaning of life. Each clearly has a different take and each has reflected his perspective in bibles of their own making ~ this communality the basis for their joint incarceration.

The weightiness of the play's title is matched by the levity of its content. While the theme is rich with potential, the work itself lacks the intellectual heft of Sartre's No Exit, Steve Allen's Meeting of Minds, or Shaw's Don Juan in Hell, all of which have been noted often as possible sources of Carter's inspiration.

DISCORD is more akin to an extended SNL sketch ~ longer to the tune of ninety minutes, comprised of a series of XV scenes, and made thoroughly bearable thanks to the whirlwind performances ~ albeit caricatures ~ of its original cast, Larry Cedar (Jefferson), Mark Gagliardi (Dickens), and Armin Shimerman (Tolstoy).

Do not expect anything more than a freshman level SparkNotes distillation of great but controversial ideas. The trio's interpretations of the Gospel and interjections about their personal histories are as revealing as a Wikipedia summary.

The good news, if you will, is that you will not depart the theatre laden with existential angst. You will exit laughing. You will relish Scenes VI, VII, and VIII in which each recount their versions of the Gospel ~ Boz's Fancy, TJ's Teeth Gnashing, and Tolstoy's The Secret of Life.

You will exit, nevertheless, with an instructive lesson. As the geniuses find the creation of a harmonic gospel elusive, their come-to-Jesus moments derive from confessions about their foibles, indiscretions, and hypocrisies. None have practiced what they preached. Only in death are they now free to write to their heart's content. But what they know for sure is the truth of Sartre's insight: "You are your life, and nothing else."

The technical aspects of the show are stunning, thanks to Matt August's steady direction and the brilliant convergence of Takeshi Kata's scenic design, Luke Moyer's lighting and Cricket Myers' sound effects, and Jeffrey Elias Teeter's magical projections. Ann Closs-Farley has dressed the leads in sharply-tailored togs that well-suit the characters' personas.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, CHARLES DICKENS AND COUNT LEO TOLSTOY: DISCORD runs through May 29th at the Herberger Theater Center.

Photo credit to Tim Fuller

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