Star Staff Reports
Playhouse 51, Millington’s Community Theater, is opening its 15th season with the Neil Simon comedy God’s Favorite.
The comedies of Neil Simon are audience favorites and this will be the third Simon play that Playhouse 51 has done.
Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays Aug. 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays Aug. 19 and 26 at 2 p.m. in Harvell Civic Center, located at 8077 Wilkinsville Road.
God’s Favorite is a contemporary version of the story of Job featuring pious, God-fearing, Long Island businessman Joe Benjamin and his family – – – his batty but demanding wife Rose ever clutching her jewelry, the prodigal son, a pair of kooky fraternal twins, a wise-cracking maid and butler, and, most important of all, God’s messenger and compulsive film buff who gets cramps in his head, Sidney Lipton.
Sidney has been dispatched from Queens with a mission to test Joe’s faith and report back to “The Boss,” who has a bet with The Devil that there is one man in the world who will never lose his faith and renounce God no matter what!
It’s is a modern morality tale with the wit, hilarious insight, and one-liners that only Neil Simon can deliver. As Joe holds out against everything that’s thrown at him, his family is skeptical.
As his wife Rose puts it, perhaps the messenger had the wrong address. After all, “why couldn’t God have tested a young couple with a small apartment?”
Enjoy Aug. 17-19 and 24-26 at Harvell Civic Center presented by Playhouse 51 by arrangement with Samuel French and in association with Millington Municipal Schools.
Playhouse 51 is a non-profit 501(c)3 all-volunteer organization with open meetings the third Tuesday of each month at Harvell Civic Center. If you’re interested in joining in, call 872-7170. There’s a role for everyone at Playhouse 51.
Next up after God’s Favorite for Playhouse 51 will be Junie B in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells the first two weekends in November.
Watch our website and Facebook pages for audition dates, volunteer opportunities, and performances for this wonderful family-oriented holiday presentation.
Tickets at the door are only $12 Adults, $10 Students, Seniors, and Military. Playhouse is also a member of Arts Access.
For more information, call 872-7170, visit www.playhouse51.com, or join on Facebook for more information.
