The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told
OutFront Theatre
through May 14, 2017
Atlanta’s LGBTQIAQ theatre presents this provocative work at their facility on Brady Street at 10th, downtown. Founding artistic director Paul Conroy has some cojones and is not one who gets pushed around. Before this show opened here more than 50,000 people signed on to condemn this work and ask that it be canceled.
The story is a sometimes caustic parody of commonly held religious beliefs; starting off in the Garden of Eden, and winding up in present day NYC. It is guaranteed to offend those who hold the holy scriptures as undeniably true.
An energetic cast of nine players in many roles move this one along. We meet Adam (Ty Autry) and Steve (Brian Jordan) in the Garden as the first humans. They become friends and lovers; but seem to have some problems vis-a-vis procreation. Then we meet up with Jane (Ellie Stryon) and Mabel (Jenni McCarthy), who also have a relationship and difficulties.
The show moves through many scenes including the flood and the ark, the nativity scene (with a couple of wise men), and the days of The Pharaoh. And in Act II, the story comes into current day status on a Christmas Eve in Chelsea, with a group of folks of various backgrounds, sexual preferences and beliefs. Albeit, they don’t get into current-day political commentary; you may sit there wondering what our Grand President might think of the show. And, how fortunate for all concerned that McCarthy isn’t around to blacklist playwrights and actors.
In the final scenes we have a lesbian about to give birth, a wedding of two women to be conducted by a disabled lesbian Rabbi, and all kinds of insanity reigns. The show is moved along by a narrator/stage manager (Nicole Smith) who calls the actions and the cuts. Jess McGuire, Alex Bucar, David Grindstaff and Rachel Garbus round out the cast in multiple roles.
Playwright Paul Rudnick won much acclaim as well as contempt for his work. Do you buy into creativity or evolution, intelligent design or whatever? This isn’t for Ms. Prim or the Bible Thumpers, nor the homophobic; and there is some nudity, but then it’s just human anatomy.
The play runs more than 2 hours, with comfortable seating and easy to get to. It is designed to raise issues, inspire reflection and see the world as it is, rather than as others may tell us. More info and tickets at OutFrontTheatre.com