To Feb. 10: Tony nominated dark comedy ‘Hand to God’ plays at Empire

Empire Theatre Company will present the five-time Tony-nominated play, Hand to God, by Robert Askins, opening Jan. 25.  Hand to God is “darkly delightful” and “flat-out hilarious,” says The New York Times.

Askins’ Hand to God centers on young Jason. After the death of his father, Jason finds an outlet for his anxiety at the Christian Puppet Ministry, in the devoutly religious, relatively quiet small town of Cypress, Texas. Jason’s complicated relationships with the town pastor, the school bully, the girl next door, and—most especially—his mother are thrown into upheaval when Jason’s puppet, Tyrone, takes on a shocking and dangerously irreverent personality all its own. Hand to God explores the startlingly fragile nature of faith, morality, and the ties that bind us.  Hand to God is not recommend for children.

Hand to God is directed by Chris Berg, and stage managed by Maddie Sharpe. This production features regional actors Harsha Praveen, Casey Hennessy, Darin Kerr, Abby Plumley, and Nicole Quam.

When: Jan. 25-27, Feb. 1-3 and 8-10 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Empire Arts Center, 415 DeMers Ave., Grand Forks, ND 58201
Tickets: $14 for students/military, $17 for adults
Purchase tickets weekdays at 701-746-5500 or anytime at www.empireartscenter.com.

The Empire Theatre Company is a program of the Empire Arts Center.  The Empire Theatre Company’s mission is to produce contemporary plays and musicals that are well-crafted and bold.  Hand to God is the Empire Theatre Company’s fourth show of the season, which also includes Melancholy Play, and The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence.