An Act Of God

by David Javerbaum
Directed by Pat Henderson

August 2 – 25, 2024

Based on a satirical book and Twitter account, An Act of God is a 90-minute conversation in which God will reveal the mysteries of the Bible and answer some of the greatest existential questions that have plagued mankind since the beginning of time. 

Performances:

Aug 2, 9, 16, 23 @ 8p
Aug 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 22, 24, 25 @ 2p
Aug 3, 10, 17, 24 @ 7pm

1

 I am the Lord thy God. King of the Universe.
You shalt have no other gods before me.

2

Thou shalt not tell others whom to fornicate.

3

Thou shalt not kill in My name.

4

Thou shalt separate Me and state.

5

Thou shalt not seek a
personal relationship with Me.

6

Thou shalt not take My name in vain.

7

 Thou shalt not tell Me what to do.

8

Thou shalt honor thy children.

Göran Norquist* (God)

Göran is an actor, teacher, director, musician, and writer. He has a BFA and an MFA in Acting. Some favorite past roles include Sweeney in Sweeney Todd, Bottom in Midsummer, Amos Hart in Chicago, and Olivia in Twelfth Night. He is thrilled to be a part of this show surrounded by such amazing people. A huge thank you to his soon to be wife who he truly could not have done this without. God bless you all!

Kirk Osgood (Michael)

Kirk is thrilled to be making his William Street Rep debut! He was last seen in Polar Express with Rail Events. Theatre: Lyric Opera Chicago, Porchlight Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, Babes with Blades, Emerald City Children’s Theatre, Trap Door Theatre among others. TV: Chicago Med. YouTube short films: The Thanksgivening, Knockout, Brownstone. He was also on the production team for the pre-Broadway run of BOOP! The Musical. Kirk is a proud member of AGMA. Thanks to Pat and everyone at William Street Rep for this opportunity, Tommy for your advice and guidance, Cameron for keeping my vocals in check and as always Mom and Dad. Follow Kirk on IG @kicksrkool16

Nathan Dale Short (Gabriel)

Nathan (he/they) is ecstatic to be making their Williams Street debut in An Act of God! With nearly twenty years of experience, Nathan has performed all over the midwest, most recently in productions of Promises, Promises (Blank Theatre Company) and The Minutes (Edge of the Wood), both of which received multiple Jeff Award nominations, including “Best Ensemble” in their respective categories. Also a director, Nathan is the Founder of Sunrise Theatre Company in Topeka, Kansas. When not performing or directing, Nathan is a bartender and barista, house DJ thatoneguy, a voracious reader, and roommate to their dog, Theo. Thanks to all Nathan’s giants and their shoulders. Represented by The Rock Talent Agency. NathanDaleShort.com

Daniel Martin (God u/s)

Daniel Martin is a Chicago-based actor, musician, and athlete. His theatre credits include: THE MINUTES (Edge of the Wood Theatre); MIC FATHER, LIKE SON – World Premiere (Subtext Theatre Company); IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, CRAZY FOR YOU (Broadway Palm); ANGELS IN AMERICA, LEGALLY BLONDE (Ephrata Performing Arts Center); HAIRSPRAY (Dutch Apple) and VIRTUALLY ME – Nat’l Tour (Matt Murphy Productions). Daniel frequently collaborates with filmmakers and has appeared in the feature film PASSION PROJECT – Semi-Finalist at Playback International Film Festival; SOLACE; PEACHES AND DAISIES; FORTUNATO and CURE FOR HICCUPS. His latest web series, THE OTHER WIFE will stream on AppleTV. He has performed his original songs at SONGBOOK: BROADWAY’S FUTURE (Lincoln Center, NYC). When not performing, Daniel enjoys dance music festivals, action movies and intense full-body workouts.

Ross Dobbins (Michael and Gabriel u/s)

Ross Dobbins is absolutely pumped to be apart of An Act Of God in his Williams Street Repertory debut! He is a recent graduate of Columbia College Chicago and has been seen as an ensemble member at Laugh Out Laugh, as well as co-director of Forgive Me, Estoy Aprendiendo at The Annoyance Theatre. He would like to thank his Mom, Dad, Penelope and Ms. Sylvia for everything along with their constant support.

*Appearing through an Agreement between Raue Center and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

+Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. 

DIRECTOR’S NOTE:

The phrase “an act of God” refers to extraordinary events. What could be a more perfect title for a show about God coming to earth along with his two favorite angels – Gabriel (Gabe) and Michael (Mike)?

The tag line for An Act of God states that it is a comedy of biblical proportions, and our trio of performers do indeed bring humor. However, there are also introspective moments for humanity to ponder. God and his angels have been together for….well, eternity, and know each other very well, maybe a little too well. As the Director, I am thrilled to have you experience this show with performers, who are so perfect for these roles. From the day they hit the stage together, it felt like we had all worked together for “eternity.” And I mean that in the best possible way!

Charlie Chaplin, my comedic hero, said, “To truly laugh, you must take your pain and play with it.” Thank you for coming to play with us today at Williams Street Repertory at the Raue for this extraordinary event – An Act of God!

– Pat Henderson, director

Pat Henderson+ (Director/Props Master) returns to Williams Street Rep as director of AN ACT OF GOD. Pat has previously directed, stage-managed, and designed for WSRep numerous times during the past 10 years. Pat is a Director and Technical/Lighting Designer for professional theatres throughout Chicago. Most recently Pat directed STEEL MAGNOLIAS for Steel Beam Theatre and is directing SOUTH PACIFIC at Skokie Theatre for Mad Kap Productions opening in September. Pat has directed and designed 50+ productions during the past 7 years. Pat recently taught Performing Arts at Rochelle Zell Jewish High School and previously directed and designed for Trinity High School. Pat is currently working on producing, writing, and directing her combined play/art show called ART OF A LIFETIME based on her father-in-law’s journals and her mother-in-law’s art work. When not working in theatre, Pat can be found at her family owned business Sugar & Rhyme Coffeehouse in Elgin and is grateful for the love and support from her family especially her husband Miles.

Sophia Kuranda ( Assistant Director) has been acting ever since she was 5 years old and has starred in many productions over the years such as Lend Me a Tenor as Julia, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Margaret in 9 to 5 at Stagedoor Manor where Sophia trained in New York. She recently helped assistant director for RCSA’s Static. Sophia would like to thank her family and friends for their support, her agent, and Pat for giving her this opportunity.

Thom Hermanson (Stage Manager) is a new member of The Actors Equity Association and is thrilled that his first equity show is with Williams Street Rep at the Raue Center. He would like to give a huge thank you to the cast, crew and staff for a very warm welcome and a fantastic experience. Some of Thom’s favorite projects have included Spamalot, Joseph, Westside Story, Chicago, Grease and Jesus Christ Superstar. Thom is local to Woodstock where he lives with his short, four-legged feline roommate named Mocha. Thom would like to dedicate this show to his father who will always be with him on the stage left headset.

Jessie Higgins (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to be returning to the Raue Center for her first Williams Street Rep production. As a freelance Stage Manager based in Cleveland, she has worked primarily throughout the eastern US. Jessie spent ten summers working at Stagedoor manor in New York, six of which she spent as a Production Stage Manager. Favorite past productions include STATIC (RCSA), KEN LUDWIG’S MORIARTY… (Cleveland Play House), BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Stagedoor Manor), GROUNDHOG DAY (Slow Burn Theatre Company). She would like to thank Jack and her parents for their endless support.

Brian Bedoya (Sound Designer) has previously served as Sound Designer for THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME and Sound Technician for GREASE at the Skokie Theatre. Brian is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Sound Design from The Theatre School at DePaul University and minoring in Music Studies and Recording.

Claire Yearman (Fight Choreographer) is happy to be working with WSR again. Claire is an EMC actor, director, fight director, and intimacy choreographer. Some theatres she’s worked for include Oak Park Festival Theatre, Williams Street Repertory, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Chicago Dramatists, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Interrobang Theatre Project, Aston Rep Theatre Company, Oil Lamp Theatre, Janus Theatre, Wheaton Drama and Village Theatre Guild. She has an MFA in acting from Western Illinois University and is a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors. Much gratitude to my parents and my partner Nick for their love and support.

Robin M. Hughes (Executive Producer/Production Manager) is excited to have joined the Raue team! Previously at Williams Street Rep, she directed Emma! A Pop Musical, Love Letters, First Date, and Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Musical. Robin began her professional career as an actor at The Guthrie Theatre in her hometown of Minneapolis, MN and later graduated with her MFA in Acting from IL State University. Robin moved to Chicago after winning the Steppenwolf Acting Fellowship. Since then, she has also enjoyed directing, casting, teaching, and is particularly passionate about producing new works. Currently Robin is a professor at Dominican University and is a proud full member of the Stage Director and Choreographers union.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tim Paul, board president

John Jacobsen, vice president

Chuck Stevens, treasurer

Luanne Flavin, secretary

John Green
Mike H. Johnson
Richard Kuranda
Jack Minsley
Rich Naponelli
Michelle Nowland
Sandra Pierce
Regan Shepley
Steven Szalaj
Jerry Trachsler

Stacey McInerney
Volunteer Liaison

RAUE CENTER STAFF

Richard Kuranda
Raue Center CEO & Founding Artistic Director of Williams Street Repertory

Justin Wellington
Managing Director

Jenna Klaproth
Operations Manager

Meredith Schaefer-Flowers
Director of Marketing &
Institutional Advancement

Michele V. Knight
Marketing Manager

James Knight
Economic Development Manager

Rob Scharlow
Raue Center School for the Arts
Director of Education

Maribeth Ling
Front of House Manager

Chris Tumblin
Raue Center Director of Production

Ryan Meadow
Raue Center Production Manager

Robin Hughes
Executive Producer / Production Manager

James Mablin
Resident Music Director

Box Office Associates
Naomi Unverzagt
Nick Eversman

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination. 

For additional information follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or visit rauecenter.org.