What I liked
The way in which the pastor’s backstory unfolded in these small chapters was concise, and each time we went into a flashback we were entering a different landscape or facet of the pastor’s struggle in his childhood. The play unfolded in a really organic way, structurally. The use of the set pieces and lighting also made the world of the play easy to fall into and visually appealing to watch.
What I didn't like
This was an admirably bold show; therefore, audience members may be torn on what they feel the message is. I struggled with the third act and the portrayal of trauma with Lily, the female sex worker. The way her story plays out verges on trauma p**n as she explains all of the consequences of her attack. (The actress’s performance in this scene, however, was utterly magnetic.) I have mixed feelings on the comparison of Lily’s character to Linus’s in this final confrontation. To reduce her very real and lived-in trauma to an issue of spiritual health, juxtaposed with the problematic savior-ism of Linus, is hard for me to digest.
My overall impression
This show posed a lot of serious philosophical and ethical questions, admirably unafraid of exploring the gray areas and complexities of the serious subject matter. Regardless of one’s opinion on the play and the themes, this is one that will leave the audience thinking in the days that follow.
