Artists at Play joins forces with Latino Theatre Company to present the world premiere of GOD WILL DO THE REST. Penned by Nicholas Pilapil and developed and workshopped at the Geffen Playhouse, GOD WILL DO THE REST examines the Filipino American experience, which – when all is said and done – mirrors the experiences of most immigrant families. Producing artistic leader of Artists at Play Stefanie Lau says it all: “It’s about following the American Dream, and what some parents may have sacrificed to achieve that for their kids. It’s about the complexities of family and the joy that comes along with the hurt. Many audience members, regardless of their background, might recognize their own families on the stage.”
The time is now, and the place is Cerritos, California. Tough and glamorous family matriarch Maggie (Rinabeth Apostol) is having a milestone birthday, and the de Dios family wouldn’t miss it for the world. Leading the pack is Maggie’s devoted husband Ferdie (Reggie Lee). And then there are the kids – starting with their oldest daughter Connie (Ellen D. Williams) who also happens to be the black sheep of the family after an unplanned (and unmarried) teenaged pregnancy giving her parents their first grandson Tanner (Ryan Nebreja), now studying to become the world’s greatest chef. Then we have their youngest daughter Fritzie (Josette Canilao), a stylish and successful real estate agent – accompanied by her Jewish fiancé Nate (Josh Odsess-Rubin). When Maggie’s sister, the unconventional and painfully direct Babette (Jason Rogel) pops up, the family circle is complete. Just in time to prove that a warm, loving, conflicted, crazy family happens in every culture.
Skillfully helmed by Fran de Leon, GOD WILL DO THE REST examines the ups and downs of family life in a hilarious play about a bunch of unlikely folks who happen to share the same DNA. Little by little, family secrets leap out of their dark corners to surprise – and maybe even shock – the Filipino-American de Dios family as they struggle to catch the American dream and make it their own. It’s tough to transplant from your comfortable, predictable old life to a new and precarious existence in a strange new world – and all the missteps, leaps, and falls have happened to Maggie and Ferdie in their journey of discovery. An excellent cast make it easy to differentiate among the family members, commiserate with their foibles, and love them all the same.
Director Fran de Leon – Photo courtesy of Artists at Play
The production team makes their world come alive. Leah Ramillano’s comfy scenic design will probably seem familiar to many in the audience, with Janel “JJ” Javier C. Yuri Son’s costumes and Ashphord Jacoway’s hair and make-up design completing the picture, Omar Madkour’s lighting and Jesse Mandapat’s sound add to the tale of a family doing the best they can with good humor and love. GOD WILL DO THE REST will definitely appeal to audiences who enjoy stories about family life, cultural differences, and the immigrant experience.
GOD WILL DO THE REST runs through September 29, 2024, with performances at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and at 4 p.m. on Sundays. The Los Angeles Theatre Center is located at 514 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Tickets range from $10 (all Thursday night performances) to $38 (students, seniors, veterans, and LAUSD teachers $20). For information and reservations, call 213-489-0994 or go online.
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