Berkeley Rep: HAND TO GOD Extended

Due to overwhelming positive responses from critics and audiences alike, Berkeley Rep has announced that Hand to God, written by Robert Askins and directed by David Ivers, will extend for an additional week. Originally scheduled to close on March 19, the critically acclaimed play will run through Sunday, March 26.

Starting today at noon, tickets for the added seven performances can be purchased online at berkeleyrep.org and by phone at 510 647-2949.

Critics have been praising Hand to God:

"Miraculously funny...gleefully subversive.... David Ivers slyly directs this wonderfully blasphemous comedy.... It's miraculously funny, at a time when many of us need a laugh, but it's also acutely insightful about the yearning for religion.... It's the eerie symbiotic relationship between Doherty and the puppet that transports this piece out of the realm of comedy and into something so good it's scary...." - Bay Area News Group

"Hand to God is just the spiritual exploration we deserve at this point in our sordid human existence. Imagine if the current administration reimagined 'Sesame Street' in its own twisted, greedy, egocentric, power-mad image and you might get something like Robert Askins' hit play.... Michael Doherty brings a sweet, blinky reserve to Jason that contrasts nicely with the raunchy spewing of Tyrone, the Muppet-y creature that is slowly taking over his life and giving him an actual personality." - Chad Jones' Theater Dogs

"If you're the kind of person for whom 'Avenue Q' feels more like 'Sesame Street,' who wanted more 'South Park' in 'The Book of Mormon,' then the West Coast premiere of 'Hand to God'...will be manna to your foul, foul desires...." - San Francisco Chronicle

Hand to God tells the story of Jason, a Texas teenager, and his sock puppet named Tyrone. Tyrone may look innocent, but when he infiltrates the angst-ridden church youth group and takes possession of Jason's arm, well, all hell breaks loose. Spectacularly foul-mouthed and wickedly scandalous, Tyrone shocks the congregation with his outrageous insinuations, exposing their deepest secrets - and teaching us all about love, grief, and what it means to be human.

Cast members include Michael Doherty (Jason/Tyrone), David Kelly (Pastor Greg), Michael McIntire (Timothy), Laura Odeh (Margery), and Carolina Sanchez (Jessica).

The creative team includes Jo Winiarski (scenic designer), Meg Neville (costume designer),

Alexander V. Nichols (lighting designer), Joe Payne (Sound Designer), Amanda Villalobos (puppet designer), and Danielle O'Dea (fight choreographer).

Seven performances added: Tuesday, March 21, 2017 - Sunday, March 26, 2017

· Tuesday, March 21 @ 8pm

· Wednesday, March 22 @ 7pm

· Thursday, March 23 @ 8pm

· Friday, March 24 @ 8pm

· Saturday, March 25 @ 2pm and 8pm

· Sunday, March 26 @ 2pm

TIX & INFO: 510 647-2949 - berkeleyrep.org Discounts: Half-price tickets available for anyone

under 30 years of age; $10 discount for students and seniors one hour before curtain; Groups of 10 or more, email groups@berkeleyrep.org

To post a comment, you must register and login.