2008 Woodie Awards
'God's Favorite'
Jessica Morford
Issue date: 4/1/04 Section: The Gallery
Take the Book of Job, and add a dash of the prodigal son parable. Throw in the flavor of the late 20th century, season it with the wit of comedic playwright Neil Simon and bake it in the imagination of senior Elizabeth Clevenger. The result is Southwest Baptist University's student showcase, "God's Favorite."
The production opened Thursday, April 1 and will show Friday and Saturday, April 2-3 at 7 p.m. in SBU's Davis-Newport Theatre.
Clevenger is a theatre major and criminal justice minor from Nixa. After much thought on which play to present for her student showcase, Clevenger decided on "God's Favorite" because of the playwright and the theme.
"I really like Neil Simon's work," Clevenger said. "I read 'God's Favorite,' and I really liked it (...). And it fits with SBU, I think (SBU students) will understand the themes better from having been familiar with the story of Job."
The curtain opens on the Long Island home of Joe Benjamin, a wealthy entrepreneur. The play's action begins as a security alarm sounds late at night, and the Benjamin family's comfortable life is disrupted. After a comically chaotic scene involving Joe and his ignorant twin children, Sarah and Ben, Joe's eldest son, David, enters. Having been out drinking, Joe reprimands David and goes to bed.
Soon Joe is reawakened by the entrance of a strange man, Sidney Lipton. Lipton explains that Joe is "God's favorite," and his faith will be tested through misfortune. However, should Joe wish to return to his comfortable lifestyle, he could simply renounce God and have his wish. Joe argues he will never renounce God. From there Joe and his family undergo a series of misfortunate events presented in a light-hearted manner.
Audiences should not come to the show expecting to see a presentation of the story of Job as found in the Bible. Simon's play is based on the book, but there are many differences.
However the theme is similar: "We go through trials but always know that God has his reasons," Clevenger said. "We may not understand them, but his plan is for the good. Even though you may lose everything, you still have God."
First performed in 1974, the language in "God's Favorite" is as simple as today's popular sitcoms. The script is packed with humor; viewers will find a play-on-words in nearly every line.
The set and costumes in Act I are bright and cheery - a stark contrast to the "test enduring" dark costumes and hollow set of Act II.
Senior Patrick Bodenhausen ("Complete History of America, Abridged") plays Joe Benjamin. The actor has a knack for comedy and has earned laughs in numerous SBU productions. He will do the same with his portrayal of Joe. Otherwise, there is nothing spectacular about his performance.
In a surprising role, junior Ryan Akers ("Into the Woods") portrays Lipton. Using vocal techniques, Akers convincingly characterizes the absurd messenger from God. "God's Favorite" is Akers' third appearance on the SBU stage and his best performance.
The unintelligent Benjamin twins are played by junior Erika Bandy ("Boys Next Door") and sophomore David Van Bebber ("Diary of Anne Frank"). The duo is adorable. Although sometimes they speak too fast for audience comprehension, Bandy and Van Bebber are a hilarious addition to the cast, bringing with them a ton of energy.
Sophomore Jon Wehmeyer ("Boys Next Door") plays David, the wayward older son. In stark contrast to the energetic twins, Wehmeyer contributes a relaxed aura and a nice and slow vocal manner. His comedic timing may be off at times, but his performance is a nice break from the chaos of the others.
Also appearing in the play are: freshman Cara Davern ("Into the Woods") as Joe's wife, Rose; Clevenger ("Boys Next Door") as the maid, Mady; and freshman Nathan Ross ("Diary of Anne Frank") as the butler, Morris.
Although the production team had a mere three weeks to prepare for opening night, Clevenger is proud of the results.
"My actors have been the best," Clevenger said. "They've worked their tails off for me. I thought I'd be stressed out, but I'm really not. I think God really blessed this show. Everything just came together really fast, and I'm proud of everyone who's helped me."
Tickets for "God's Favorite" are available through the SBU box office located in Jester Learning and Performance Center. The box office can be contacted at 328-1691 or boxoffice@sbuniv.edu Tuesday through Friday, 12 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $4 for the general public if reserved in advance and $5 at the door. Tickets are $1 for SBU students and $3 for alumni. Faculty and staff tickets are free. The doors open each night at 6:30 p.m. The show runs approximately one hour and 45 minutes.
The production opened Thursday, April 1 and will show Friday and Saturday, April 2-3 at 7 p.m. in SBU's Davis-Newport Theatre.
Clevenger is a theatre major and criminal justice minor from Nixa. After much thought on which play to present for her student showcase, Clevenger decided on "God's Favorite" because of the playwright and the theme.
"I really like Neil Simon's work," Clevenger said. "I read 'God's Favorite,' and I really liked it (...). And it fits with SBU, I think (SBU students) will understand the themes better from having been familiar with the story of Job."
The curtain opens on the Long Island home of Joe Benjamin, a wealthy entrepreneur. The play's action begins as a security alarm sounds late at night, and the Benjamin family's comfortable life is disrupted. After a comically chaotic scene involving Joe and his ignorant twin children, Sarah and Ben, Joe's eldest son, David, enters. Having been out drinking, Joe reprimands David and goes to bed.
Soon Joe is reawakened by the entrance of a strange man, Sidney Lipton. Lipton explains that Joe is "God's favorite," and his faith will be tested through misfortune. However, should Joe wish to return to his comfortable lifestyle, he could simply renounce God and have his wish. Joe argues he will never renounce God. From there Joe and his family undergo a series of misfortunate events presented in a light-hearted manner.
Audiences should not come to the show expecting to see a presentation of the story of Job as found in the Bible. Simon's play is based on the book, but there are many differences.
However the theme is similar: "We go through trials but always know that God has his reasons," Clevenger said. "We may not understand them, but his plan is for the good. Even though you may lose everything, you still have God."
First performed in 1974, the language in "God's Favorite" is as simple as today's popular sitcoms. The script is packed with humor; viewers will find a play-on-words in nearly every line.
The set and costumes in Act I are bright and cheery - a stark contrast to the "test enduring" dark costumes and hollow set of Act II.
Senior Patrick Bodenhausen ("Complete History of America, Abridged") plays Joe Benjamin. The actor has a knack for comedy and has earned laughs in numerous SBU productions. He will do the same with his portrayal of Joe. Otherwise, there is nothing spectacular about his performance.
In a surprising role, junior Ryan Akers ("Into the Woods") portrays Lipton. Using vocal techniques, Akers convincingly characterizes the absurd messenger from God. "God's Favorite" is Akers' third appearance on the SBU stage and his best performance.
The unintelligent Benjamin twins are played by junior Erika Bandy ("Boys Next Door") and sophomore David Van Bebber ("Diary of Anne Frank"). The duo is adorable. Although sometimes they speak too fast for audience comprehension, Bandy and Van Bebber are a hilarious addition to the cast, bringing with them a ton of energy.
Sophomore Jon Wehmeyer ("Boys Next Door") plays David, the wayward older son. In stark contrast to the energetic twins, Wehmeyer contributes a relaxed aura and a nice and slow vocal manner. His comedic timing may be off at times, but his performance is a nice break from the chaos of the others.
Also appearing in the play are: freshman Cara Davern ("Into the Woods") as Joe's wife, Rose; Clevenger ("Boys Next Door") as the maid, Mady; and freshman Nathan Ross ("Diary of Anne Frank") as the butler, Morris.
Although the production team had a mere three weeks to prepare for opening night, Clevenger is proud of the results.
"My actors have been the best," Clevenger said. "They've worked their tails off for me. I thought I'd be stressed out, but I'm really not. I think God really blessed this show. Everything just came together really fast, and I'm proud of everyone who's helped me."
Tickets for "God's Favorite" are available through the SBU box office located in Jester Learning and Performance Center. The box office can be contacted at 328-1691 or boxoffice@sbuniv.edu Tuesday through Friday, 12 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $4 for the general public if reserved in advance and $5 at the door. Tickets are $1 for SBU students and $3 for alumni. Faculty and staff tickets are free. The doors open each night at 6:30 p.m. The show runs approximately one hour and 45 minutes.
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