REVIEW: ‘End Days’ a must-see at Riverside Theatre

By Rob Cline

IOWA CITY - It would not be an exaggeration to say that I am rapturous over Riverside Theatre's production of Deborah Zoe Laufer's “End Days.”

Rarely have I been moved so quickly and so consistently by a play. Even fewer are times that I have been so deeply moved by a play that is as hilarious as “End Days.” This story about our individual quests for meaning and connection is a remarkable play, indeed.

Under the direction of Bruce Wheaton, each member of the five-person cast turns in a truly outstanding performance. This combination of a wonderful play wonderfully performed makes “End Days” a must-see. It was enjoyed on Friday's (1/29) opening night by a capacity crowd.

The plot centers on the Stein family. Rachel (Laura Tatar) is 16 years old and has gone Goth; her mother, Sylvia (Jody Hovland), has recently given her life over to Jesus; and her father, Arthur (Jim Van Valen), has been hopelessly depressed since narrowly escaping the events of September 11, 2001, two years before the action of the play.

Their lives are shaken up when Nelson Steinberg (Ryan Westwood) - socially maladroit, irrepressibly optimistic, and dressed as Elvis - falls hard for Rachel and follows her home. Meanwhile, both Jesus and Stephen Hawking (both portrayed by Tim Budd) make memorable appearances.

Westwood is nothing short of brilliant throughout the play. With his shining eyes, his hard g sounds at the ends of words, his puppy dog earnestness and his ability to sing Hebrew scripture to the tune of “All Shook Up,” he would absolutely steal the show if he were not surrounded by such excellent peers.

Tatar is both tough and sweet, delivering snarky one-liners with precision while still snagging the affection of the audience.

Van Valen is utterly convincing as he portrays both his character's deep depression and his tentative steps back. He and Westwood deliver some of the play's most powerful moments as they bond over Nelson's upcoming bar mitzvah.

Hovland skillfully walks the line between her character's wackiness and her sincere faith. Sylvia honestly fears for the souls of her family and is desperate to know that they, like her, will be saved.

Budd, whose two characters would seem to occupy opposite ends of a spectrum, is equally funny whether he's quaffing coffee as Jesus or revealing a locker combination as Hawking. Each role has unique demands, but Budd makes both seem effortless.

This character-driven work is served extremely well by strong costume, set, lighting and sound design.

A note on the play itself: From a certain angle, it would be possible to read the entire second act (if not the entire play) as a sharp criticism of Christian faith of the evangelical stripe.

But the playwright is up to something more complex than that. “End Days” ultimately values and celebrates faith - in God, in science, in one another. Faith in its many guises saves this family as they each find their way back from a destructive extreme to a more moderate place of love, comfort and acceptance.

FAST TAKETickets: $12 to $26 at Riverside Theatre Box Office, (319) 338-7672 or www.riversidetheatre.org

What: “End Days”

Where: Riverside Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City

When: 7:30 p.m.  Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 21