HEAVEN HELP HIM // A STREAMING THEATRE REVIEW OF "JUDGMENT DAY"
Since the Pandemic begin, many theatre companies shifted their programming to streaming. Whether it was live programming, readings, staged readings or archived productions, it was a way for the general public to see theatre while stuck at home. Now, theatres are slowing starring to reopen, yet streaming theatre seems destined to stay, at least in some way. Barrington Theatre Company is re-streaming the play JUDGMENT DAY, written by Rob Ulin and Directed by Matthew Penn, from now through Aug. 1st. Attached to it is a stellar Broadway friendly cast: Jason Alexander, Patti Lupone, Santino Fontana, Michael McKean and Loretta Devine. And luckily, the great cast isn't all the show has going for it. It's a surprising, irreverent, touching and hilarious. Now that's something worth streaming.
Alexander plays Samuel Campo, a dirty lawyer who's never met a law he can't snake around. But time is not on his side and after a heart attack, he ends up dead and greeted by a former teacher of his Sister Margaret (Lupone). He immediately insults her but then realizes she's his greeting into the afterlife. Knowing how much trouble he caused her, he realizes that this can't be good and worries as she relishes being able to finally torment him. But because Sister Margaret jumped the gun a bit (he's dying but not quite dead yet), he's given another chance, a chance to try and write some wrongs. And he does it in the most selfish way possible. Teaming up with a local doubting Priest, Father Michael (Fontana), he decides to take on cases of the most desperate of parishioners and help them. Not for their sake of course. He's doing it for himself, to "score points" and get out of the clutches of hellfire and make his way to heaven when he eventually passes on.
Rob Ulin's script constantly surprises and delights, with a very game Jason Alexander shining in the lead role. He's slimy but loveable, in the truest George Costanza kind of way. His delivery is spot on and although it's technically a reading, his performance is worthy of a fully realized production on stage. Patti Lupone shows up in a few brief shines and delights as usual as she torments her former student. Santino Fontana, as a Priest who may not believe in God, is a great straight man and his reactions are priceless. The rest of the cast pull in wonderful supporting roles, from Michael McKean's Monsignor to Loretta Devine's receptionist and her bone dry delivery and Justina Machado & Julian Emile Lerner as the family Campo left behind. Lastly, Carol Mansell is lovable and relatable as a widow who's fighting the insurance company simply to be able to live. The streaming, now through Aug. 1st, will benefit Barrington Theatre, and the link to see it yourself is below. Don't make a mistake and not catch it before its gone. You never know who will be judging your actions down the road.
GRADE: A-
WRITTEN BY ROB ULIN DIRECTED BY MATTHEW PENN STARRING Jason Alexander, Patti Lupone, Santino Fontana, Michael McKean, Loretta Devine, Justina Machado, Julian Emile Lerner, Carol Mansell. AVAILABLE THROUGH AUG 1ST TO STREAM ON VOD VIA BARRINGTON THEATRE. FOR MORE INFO: JUDGEMENT DAY