The Nebraska Repertory Theatre opens its season on Sept. 26 with “An Act of God.” The One with the first and last word on everything has finally arrived to set the record straight. After many millennia, and in just 90 minutes, God (assisted by devoted angels) answers some of the deepest questions that have plagued humanity since Creation.
Written by God, and adapted by David Javerbaum, “An Act of God” has performances Sept. 26-Oct. 14 in the Lied Center’s Johnny Carson Theater. The Hixson-Lied College took this unique opportunity to interview God about the upcoming production.
Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts (HLCFPA): I’m not quite sure what to call you. Do you prefer “God” or “The Almighty” or something else?
God: GOD, duh, but "King of the Universe" and "Creator of Space and Time" also feels good to hear.
HLCFPA: So first of all, thank you, God, for coming directly to Lincoln for a little while. What do you think of it so far? Does it look different at ground level?
God: A bit too much RED RED RED everywhere for My taste, but I've amply blessed this area of the country with spacious skies and fertile soil. You're welcome.
HLCFPA: What should people expect from attending “An Act of God.” Is this like attending church? Do I need to dress up?
God: Come expecting to meet Me and bask in My divine presence. How would you dress for that?
HLCPFA: Who else will be joining you?
God: I have a couple of trusty Genesistants. My wingmen. My hype angels, if thou shalt.
HLCPFA: You’ll be performing in the Lied Center’s Johnny Carson Theater. Do you have any good Johnny Carson stories you can tell us, God?
God: I don't engage in. . . Godsip. But I can confirm that he's a fan.
HLCFPA: Good to know. So what is “An Act of God” about? Why are you coming directly to the people like this? Are we in trouble?
God: Not "trouble," per se, but it's time to correct a few commandments that you took completely off the rails. I need to clarify myself. So, yes, maybe you are in trouble.
HLCFPA: Uh-oh. Well, what is your overall message to the good people of Earth? Are we getting anything right or are we doing things all wrong?
God: Um, how do I put this politely. . . Yes.
HLCFPA: We read our Bibles, of course. But what’s on your reading list, God?
God: I'm David Javerbaum's biggest fan. When the time is right, he's definitely coming up here and writing all My jokes.
HLCFPA: Are you political, God? Will you have things to say about what’s going on in Washington, D.C.?
God: Thou shalt separate Me and state!
HLCFPA: Do you ever wish you had given us more than Ten Commandments? Is there anything you would like to add to or delete from that list?
God: I have grown weary of the Ten Commandments in exactly the same way that Britney has grown weary of "Toxic."
HLCFPA: Has anyone ever told you that your voice often sounds like Morgan Freeman’s?
God: I think you mean to say that Morgan Freeman's voice sounds like Mine. You're welcome.
HLCFPA: Fair enough. Why should people come to see you in “Act of God?”
God: Would you want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
HLCFPA: Will this be better than prayer?
God: Of course, because I *actually* deign to answer your questions in the show. Plus every good show ends with a song and dance number!
HLCFPA: Speaking of prayers, you’re in Husker territory, of course. Will our frequent prayers for a national championship in football be answered by you soon?
God: Did I say I answered prayers?
HLCFPA: Because I’m just saying....we have been praying for that for a long time now. I just want to make sure you didn’t forget about us.
God: If I had a nickel for every time I heard "Scott Frost. . . "
HLCFPA: So what is heaven actually like? Will I get good cell phone reception there?
God: If you have Sprint, you're screwed. We don't have Sprint towers up here because they all obviously went to hell.
HLCFPA: Do we have a while until the end of the world? If I buy “Hamilton” tickets for Omaha in September 2019, will I get to see it?
God: The logistics of Armegeddon are a nightmare, so go get those “Hamilton” tickets (if you're lucky). And try to get an extra for me. Getting a seat to that show is pure mishegas. Who do I have to smite to get to see “Hamilton” already?!
HLCFPA: Anything else we should know?
God: Bring a friend to the show. Introduce a friend to Me.
HLCFPA: One final burning question: Please settle this once and for all, which came first—the chicken or the egg?
God: I actually settle that in the show, so now you MUST come see me!
HLCFPA: Will do. Thank you, God! For everything.
For tickets and showtimes for “An Act of God,” please visit http://nebraskarep.org/.
Trisha Miller (God) is making her Nebraska Repertory Theatre debut. She was most recently seen as Germaine in “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” at the Palos Verdes Performing Arts Center in California. She has spent six seasons with Trinity Shakespeare Festival in Fort Worth, Texas, where she is an Artistic Associate; her award-winning roles there include “The Merchant of Venice” (Portia), “As You Like It” (Rosalind), “Much Ado About Nothing” (Beatrice), “Twelfth Night” (Olivia), “The Taming of the Shrew” (Katherine), “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Titania), and “The Winter’s Tale” (Paulina).
Other roles of note include “God of Carnage” (Artists Repertory Theatre), “A Tale of Two Cities” and “King Lear” (A Noise Within), “Macbeth” (Northern Stage and Southwest Shakespeare Company), “The Comedy of Errors” (Las Vegas Shakespeare Co), “Chapter Two” (Little Fish Theatre), “The Belle of Amherst” (Grand Hotel of Mackinac Island), “Proof and Barefoot in the Park” (Kentucky Rep), “Taming of the Shrew” (Southwest Shakespeare Company), Julius Caesar (Kingsmen Shakespeare), The Miracle Worker (Dallas Children’s Theatre), and Metamorphoses (Theatre Three).
Her work in video games includes voices in the BioShock, Gears of War, Battlefield, and Tales From the Borderlands franchises, and she can be seen in the upcoming films “Little Rituals” and “Best F(r)iends: Vol 1 & 2.” A member of Actors’ Equity and SAG-AFTRA, Miller holds a Master of Fine Arts in acting from Detroit’s Wayne State University.