What I liked
The sound effects and lighting were inspired.
What I didn't like
More shows so more could experience this.
My overall impression
Bravo! A Must-See.
In the Beginning, written and directed by Kylee Q Robinson, is a highly original, clever, and deeply insightful exploration of Christianity’s origin story. At once intimate, comic, provocative, and humane, the 90-minute production manages the rare feat of being both intellectually sophisticated and emotionally captivating.
The three-person cast is riviting from the opening moments. Each performer is fully present, precise, and alive on stage, delivering standout performances that hold the audience’s attention without ever letting the pace fall. In a smart and surprising expansion of the production’s theatrical language, the cast effectively grows from three to eight through the inspired use of puppets. Rather than feeling like a novelty, the well performed puppetry becomes an essential part of the storytelling, adding humor, texture, and unexpected breadth.
Robinson shows herself to be in complete command of both her storytelling and her stage and character direction. Her use of space, blocking, timing, and minimal props is handled with finesse and confidence. Nothing feels accidental. The stagecraft is economical but never sparse; every choice appears considered, purposeful, and theatrically alive.
What is especially impressive is the play’s tonal range. In the Beginning contains sophisticated comedy as well as genuine belly laughs, which is no small achievement given the subject matter. Robinson makes a difficult task look easy, balancing reverence, irreverence, doubt, grief, and absurdity without losing control of the play’s vision or emotional center.
The production moves through a wealth of human and actual religious experience: humility, curiosity, trust, betrayal, marriage, doubt, loss, murder, suicide, death, faith, grief, and the daily struggles of being alive in the face of religious mystery. These themes are embraced by both the script and the actors with honesty and courage. The result is not a lecture, but a living theatrical experience.
As the audience exited the theater, the conversations had already begun. People were laughing, debating, praising the performances, and trying to describe just how unique and memorable the experience had been. That is one of the marks of meaningful theater: it does not end when the lights go down. It follows you out the door. I have found myself replaying moments from the play in my mind, re-enjoying the performances, and thinking more deeply about the substance of the work.
Congratulations and well deserved applause to Landon Reid, Giorgio Rossini, and Laurel Preston. Fantastic work!
In the Beginning is bold, funny, intelligent, beautifully acted, and unlike anything else currently on stage. A Triumph! Well done, Kylee Q Robinson.
Go see it.
