Archived Edition: April 19, 2006 | Back to Current	Sep 09, 2010

‘God’ raises comedy to new heights
Jessica Marinaccio - STAFF WRITER

During her years at Williams, student director Cece Lederer ’06 has brought a range of exciting theatrical productions to Williamstown. Lederer has tackled deep and difficult fare, but until this year, Lederer had not presented her audience with what some might argue is her strongest suit: comedy. God, by Woody Allen, which ran this past weekend at the ’62 Center, showed off Lederer’s ability to craft a hilarious comedic production.

Under Lederer’s direction the cast of God aptly embodied Woody Allen’s irreverent and sometimes sacrilegious take on dramatic competitions in ancient Greece. Julia Cordray ’09, who played the “on-stage” stage manager, opened the performance by describing it as the “holiest show now playing in Williamstown,” a statement made more humorous by the fact that God’s Trombones was being put on right next door. Allen poked fun at religion, bringing out a Deus ex Machina machine and a banner with the word “GOD” painted on it.

Religion was certainly not the only target of satire. Everyone from Blanche DuBois to Woody Allen himself was represented in the production, and everything from circles to Greek choruses was used for comedic relief. While the theme of God ran throughout the play, it was not the only one raised; variety was key to the play’s comic power.

Due to its eclectic composition, God provided both commendable physical and verbal comedy. It included an amazing choreographed dance number , Miles Klee ’07 wrestling Kaveh Landsverk ’09 from one of the stage’s red columns, and both Sara Beach ’06 and Spike Freidman ’07 tumbling off stage to the audience’s shock and mirth. John Selden ’06 was probably the most notable purveyor of the more subtle comedy of the show, as his amazing timing ensured breathtaking moments of uproarious laughter.

Other notable performances were from Estalyn Marquis ’06 and Freidman, who presented their lines with skill. Terry Tamm ’08, Lauren Finn ’09 and Klee won praise for their role-playing as a salesman, Brooklyn College graduate and disaffected guard, respectively.

Lederer demanded a lot from her cast in crafting the production, and she got everything she asked for. While light on set and costume were simple (members of the cast wore togas over jeans), the script itself, brought to life by Lederer’s direction and the talented cast, proved a powerful force which needed neither high tech special effects nor professional costuming to succeed. God was a pleasure to watch and everyone involved in the production deserves praise from on high.