Theater Review: Hand to God

 

Puppets have never been a thing for me, especially not extremely vulgar ones that seem to go out of their way to be obnoxious. 

But if that’s your thing, have I got a play for you. It’s Robert Askins’ “Hand to God,” about a supposedly Christian community run by Pastor Greg (Dave Rivas), where nasty and vulgar puppets seem to rule the day, or at any rate talk a lot and appear to have sex on the mind most of the time.

The Roustabouts Theatre Company, headed by Phil Johnson, presents “Hand to God” through March 31 at Hillcrest’s Diversionary Theatre.

Is Askins telling us that religion is bunk, or that people are, or that maybe neither is true but treating both with disdain is the only way to survive in a place like this?

I’m not sure, but it’s clear that Johnson had a wonderful time directing the show and many audience members seemed to think it funny as well.

Me? Not so much, but I will give credit where it’s due: the actors (Rebecca Crigler, Adam Daniel, Samantha Ginn and Devin Wade, in addition to the aforemtioned Rivas) obviously put a lot of effort into making those puppets cavort, often amusingly and always vulgarly for the audience.

Look, humans are fallible and often do, say and think the “wrong” things, or at least things that don’t improve either their lives or anyone else’s who has heard/watched/helped them blow off puppet steam.

There’s history in puppets. I’ve been told on good authority that puppets were used as teachers in the Middle Ages in Europe and Asia.

And let’s face it, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are not foreign to Europeans, nor is the choice between ego and id, and we all know that people have both sides and can choose one over the other.

That’s the real point of this show, and if it has to do it with vulgar puppets, well, so be it.

The details

“Hand to God” plays through March 31,  2024 at Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Boulevard #101 in San Diego.

Ticket price: $45. Call (619) 569-5800  or www.theroustabouts.org.

Shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.