Edited by Randi Bjornstad
Here’s Oregon Contemporary Theatre’s summation of its latest play, A Case for the Existence of God, which opens April 15 and runs through May 3 on the OCT stage:
Ryan, a yogurt plant worker looking to buy a plot of land that belonged to his family decades ago, meets with Keith, a mortgage broker in Twin Falls, Idaho. What starts as a discussion on loans opens a conversation about the choke hold of financial insecurity and eventually develops into a bond over the precariousness of parenthood. With humor, empathy, and wrenching honesty, Hunter skillfully intertwines these two men’s stories, bridging the gap between their individual life experiences and shedding light on the complexities of human existence.
The play, written by Samuel D. Hunter (winner of a 2014 MacArthur Fellowship, aka the “genius grant” and awarded annually by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation), also was named Best Play in 2022 by the Drama Critics’ Circle.
Hunter’s own appraisal of the play goes like this: “I really hope the audience leaves with a sense of hope. But a kind of hope that isn’t twee or simplistic, a kind of hope that is complex and hard-won.”
And OCT’s producing artistic director, Craig Willis, who is directing this show, offers this summation: “Hunter’s play presents a touching story about male friendship and the struggles of parenting. It is a plea for empathy at a time when I think our society needs to feel that kind of depth and warmth,” he said. “I think OCT audiences will find a great deal of humor and leave the theater with a lot to talk about.”
The play opens with previews on April 15 and 16, and admission on those days is on a “name-your-own-price” basis (OCT suggests $20), followed by the regular performance run from April 18 through May 3, with tickets priced from $25 to $52. The April 18 official opening night is $45, which includes a post-performance reception.
The OCT cast of A Case for the Existence of God features Chauncey Mauney and Jonathan Thompson as Ryan and Keith, under the direction of Craig Willis. The design team includes Jeffrey Cook (scenic design), Chad Kushuba (sound), Laura Leader (properties), L’Via Rodriguez (lighting), and Lilli Turner (costumes). Riley Allen is production stage manager.
A Case for the Existence of God at OCT
When: Evenings at 7:30 p.m. on April 15-16, 18, 23-25, 30, and May 1-2; matinees at 2 p.m. on April 19, 26, and May 3
Where: Oregon Contemporary Theatre, 194 W. Broadway, Eugene
Tickets/information: octheatre.org or 541-465-1506; discounts available for students with current ID
