Nietzsche might have said, “God is dead,” but at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre, she is alive and has something to say, in the irreverent comedy “An Act of God,” written by playwright David Javerbaum.

The show opens with a part-game-show-part-talk-show vibe. Being momentarily housed in “the toffee-colored” body of Lynnette R. Freeman (which is the name of the actress playing the part), God has taken a human form, since “essence is formless.”

Even though the Ten Commandments are a “foundational moral code,” God humorously insists, “I’m not a one-list wonder.” To prove it, she urges the audience to check out Leviticus’ plethora of detailed rules. Also, she has revised the Ten Commandments, using a mix of the old and new, which she wants to share “with the people of Wellfleet.”

One new commandment is: “Thou shalt not kill in my name.” A petulant and sassy God explains, “It’s patronizing! I can kill on my own, I don’t need your help.” She adds, Americans don’t have “a God-given right to guns.”

Another tongue-in-cheek dictum is “Thou shalt not seek a personal relationship with me.” She adds, “That’s why there’s religion,” to keep the distance, through its bureaucratic system.

Continuing, God insists, “Thou shalt not tell me what to do.” And it especially irritates her when people issue a command, like “God Bless America.” She also wants it known that she doesn’t support any specific sports teams, so fans can forget asking for her help.

Freeman is impressive as God. She is reminiscent of Oprah as she elegantly reclines on her talk-show-host couch, in a form-fitting, white evening dress. She doesn’t miss a beat during her long and comical riffs on the current state of the world, or her fanciful retellings of Bible stories. Freeman is a hip God, but she is not to be taken lightly, as she can demonstrate an anger and impatience reminiscent of the Old Testament.

As all-powerful as God is, she has some assistance on stage. Alexandra Lemus plays the Archangel Gabriel, who reveals each new commandment number on a wall board, bringing Vanna White to mind. A lighthearted Lemus adds to the humor by physically reacting to God’s stories while using corny props.

David Meyers is the quirky Archangel Michael, who goes into the audience to ask pre-scripted questions. The first is, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” to which God gleefully responses, neither, the rooster came first!

Meyers’ questions become deeper as the show progresses, and he compassionately insists on knowing why there’s so much suffering in the world and why children die of cancer. For his impertinence, God ultimately responds by cutting off one of Michael’s wings and silencing him.

WHAT regular Daisy Walker directs this flawlessly tight, 90-minute one-act play.

Ellen Rousseau’s set is elegant, with clean lines, and neoclassical marble columns befitting of heaven.

On Saturday night, the WHAT audience found many of God’s witty quips to be wickedly funny. And I’m sure many would insist, “Thou shalt not miss this show!”

Nietzsche might have said, “God is dead,” but at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre, she is alive and has something to say, in the irreverent comedy “An Act of God,” written by playwright David Javerbaum.

The show opens with a part-game-show-part-talk-show vibe. Being momentarily housed in “the toffee-colored” body of Lynnette R. Freeman (which is the name of the actress playing the part), God has taken a human form, since “essence is formless.”

Even though the Ten Commandments are a “foundational moral code,” God humorously insists, “I’m not a one-list wonder.” To prove it, she urges the audience to check out Leviticus’ plethora of detailed rules. Also, she has revised the Ten Commandments, using a mix of the old and new, which she wants to share “with the people of Wellfleet.”

One new commandment is: “Thou shalt not kill in my name.” A petulant and sassy God explains, “It’s patronizing! I can kill on my own, I don’t need your help.” She adds, Americans don’t have “a God-given right to guns.”

Another tongue-in-cheek dictum is “Thou shalt not seek a personal relationship with me.” She adds, “That’s why there’s religion,” to keep the distance, through its bureaucratic system.

Continuing, God insists, “Thou shalt not tell me what to do.” And it especially irritates her when people issue a command, like “God Bless America.” She also wants it known that she doesn’t support any specific sports teams, so fans can forget asking for her help.

Freeman is impressive as God. She is reminiscent of Oprah as she elegantly reclines on her talk-show-host couch, in a form-fitting, white evening dress. She doesn’t miss a beat during her long and comical riffs on the current state of the world, or her fanciful retellings of Bible stories. Freeman is a hip God, but she is not to be taken lightly, as she can demonstrate an anger and impatience reminiscent of the Old Testament.

As all-powerful as God is, she has some assistance on stage. Alexandra Lemus plays the Archangel Gabriel, who reveals each new commandment number on a wall board, bringing Vanna White to mind. A lighthearted Lemus adds to the humor by physically reacting to God’s stories while using corny props.

David Meyers is the quirky Archangel Michael, who goes into the audience to ask pre-scripted questions. The first is, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” to which God gleefully responses, neither, the rooster came first!

Meyers’ questions become deeper as the show progresses, and he compassionately insists on knowing why there’s so much suffering in the world and why children die of cancer. For his impertinence, God ultimately responds by cutting off one of Michael’s wings and silencing him.

WHAT regular Daisy Walker directs this flawlessly tight, 90-minute one-act play.

Ellen Rousseau’s set is elegant, with clean lines, and neoclassical marble columns befitting of heaven.

On Saturday night, the WHAT audience found many of God’s witty quips to be wickedly funny. And I’m sure many would insist, “Thou shalt not miss this show!”

Details:
“An Act of God”
At Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater , www.WHAT.org
Through Aug. 17
Information and reservations 508-349-9428