Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre presents the Victorian premiere of Samuel D. Hunter’s highly-acclaimed play, A Case for the Existence of God, from 13 April 2024.
Winner of the 2022 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play and named one of the best plays of 2022 by The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Vulture, and Time Out New York; A Case For The Existence Of God shines a poignant light on parenthood and financial insecurity in Samuel D. Hunter (The Whale) hopeful new play.
A Case For The Existence Of God follows two fathers, seated in a small office cubicle, who unexpectedly allow one another into their fragile worlds. Ryan is a straight, white, recently divorced plant worker seeking to buy back a lot of land that once belonged to his family.
Keith is the black, gay single caretaker of a foster daughter, and a mortgage broker. At this desk in the middle of America, loan talk opens a discussion about the chokehold of financial insecurity and a bond over the precariousness of parenthood.
Award-winning Melbourne based Director, Gary Abrahams (Yentl, Admissions) returns to Red Stitch to direct Kevin Hofbauer and Darcy Kent in this exquisite two-hander play.
Hunter, originally from Idaho and now New York-based, presents his newest theatrical work, which follows the success of his break-through Obie-winning production A Bright New Boise (2010) and The Whale (2012).
He continues to garner significant recognition with the cinematic adaptation of The Whale, which not only secured him a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2023 but also clinched two Oscars, including Best Actor for Brendan Fraser.
A Case For The Existence Of God sees Hunter blend two disparate experiences of marginality with humour, empathy and gut-wrenching honesty, promising audiences a night of life affirming theatre.
Director: Gary Abrahams | Featuring: Kevin Hofbauer and Darcy Kent | Set & Costume Design: Jeremy Pryles | Lighting Designer: Sidney Younger | Composition & Sound Design: Rachel Lewindon | Dialect Coach: Matt Furlani | Assistant Director: Marni Mount | Stage Manager: Genevieve Davidson | Writer: Samuel D. Hunter
A Case for the Existence of God
Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel Street, East St Kilda
Season: 17 April – 12 May 2024 (previews: 13 – 16 April)
Information and Bookings: www.redstitch.net
Image: Kevin Hofbauer and Darcy Kent in rehearsal for A Case for the Existence of God (supplied)