Hand To God
Hand To God
By Robert Askins
Directed by David M. Jenkins
Feb. 26 – Mar. 14, 2021
Preview Performances: Feb. 24 – 26
Tickets: $19.50+
Online Streaming: $14.50+
Jaeb Theater, Straz Center for the Performing Arts
Distinctions
Creative Loafing Best of the Bay Nominated
- Best Production
What It's About
Meek and mild Jason takes solace in the Christian Puppet Ministry after the death of his father. When his originally soft-spoken puppet Tyrone takes on a shocking personality then possesses his arm, Jason unwittingly throws the town of Cypress, TX into a tizzy. Jason’s complicated relationships with the town pastor, the school bully, the girl next door and—most especially—his mother weather further turbulence at the hands of Tyrone’s dangerously irreverent personality. Hand to God explores the fragile nature of faith, morality and the ties that bind us.
Viewer Discretion Advised
This show is inappropriate for anyone not old enough to experience adult humor … or anyone that doesn’t like it.
Darkly delightful … flat-out hilarious – The New York Times
Askins’ most impressive talent is his ability to make us laugh while juggling those big themes that make life so terrifying. – Variety
Critic Reviews
Not a show for kids, or the easily offended ... A preview performance Wednesday night found the cast in fine form during an energetic, fast-paced production ... the sound design is flat-out excellent. – Bay News 9
Hand To God may be my favorite Jobsite show in years ... you've never seen anything quite like it ... one of the most jubilantly zany rides the theater can offer ... such a wild journey that I didn't want it to end. – BroadwayWorld (Nason)
Askins’ script is both moving and profane ... The show is uproariously funny ... religion still stumbles, parenting is hard, grief is disorienting, desire is complicated and this production features the most hilarious and exuberant puppet porn Kama Sutra imaginable. Just have your adult pod quartet grab their masks and come to laugh your asses off. – Creative Loafing
No other theater company in [area] could tackle its humor more effortlessly than what the fine folks at Jobsite have accomplished ... a ballsy, hilarious, and heartbreaking spectacle ... Smart as a whip and devilishly funny this is one ticket you will not want to miss out on. – BroadwayWorld (Eberhard)
News
Cast & Crew
- David M. Jenkins – Director
- Brian Smallheer – Technical Director
- Matthew Ray – Stage Manager/Associate Producer
Cast
- Evan Fineout – Timothy
- Nick Hoop – Jason/Tyrone
- Brian Shea – Pastor Greg
- Kara Sotakoun – Jessica/Jolene
- Katrina Stevenson – Margery
Crew
- Jo Averill-Snell – Lighting Designer
- Dave Cohen – Sound Engineer
- Suzanne Cooper Morris – Puppet Construction
- Reuben Hirsh – Master Electrician
- David M. Jenkins – Sound Designer
- Chloe Mastro – Scenic Artist
- Tea Roberts – Scenic Artist
- Linda Roethke – Puppet Designer
- Brian Smallheer – Scenic Designer
- Katrina Stevenson – Costume Designer
Patron Reviews
The first two shows of the season have been excellent! – Michael Brooks
I saw Hand to God on Wednesday—an absolutely marvelous performance. It certainly reminds me of just how much much we all miss live theatre. Jobsite always produces such incredible work in all aspects of staging, casting, direction and design. Congratulations to all who brought this hilarious show to us. Great adherence to social distancing in the Jaeb. So special to see Brian Shea back in his element! – Carla Webster
Best Jobsite show I’ve seen. Nick Hoop as Jason/Tyrone is amazing! – Michele Maro
I got to see Jobsite Theater’s HAND TO GOD tonight. I am already planning a return trip. I haven’t laughed that much in a year! The performances were spot on. They bring the heavy with the funny. Nick Hoop blew my mind! – Brad Casey
It was amazing! So glad we got to see this and everyone did great. The set design was over the top! – Tiffany Schilling
@jobsitetheater hit it out of the park with Hand To God. All the actors had their A-game and the physicality, the emotional distress, and sheer hilarity are balanced perfectly. Go see it! (Plus they remain super duper Covid safe!) #TampaTheater – @ladrian
Go see it. – @ThisFuckinHo
Enjoyed being able to be back at an opening night & amidst the heightened energy. Last night was no exception. Even my 80-year-old recently widowed friend enjoyed the chance to regale in laughter (how welcome was that!) & the subtlety & irony when being a participant in just living life these days! You do a great job of programming & getting us to tackle things not always on our mind at that moment or in our comfort zone but always worthy of being there & better for it. Never too late or too old to enjoy the incredible talent your troupe provides & as usual your casting was perfectly matched to a person. – Anne Wiley
I was dying laughing. Great job everyone!!! – Jen Casler
Fun show don’t miss it! – Beth Hyde-Hood
Jobsite Theater has made an absolute demonic masterpiece with HAND TO GOD. I wasn’t ready. 🤣 Hurry up and get tickets before word gets around and they sell out. #IDidntKnowPuppetsCouldDoThat – Amanda DeCort
Y’all killed that. It was at times hilarious and at others deeply emotional. Musical choices were incredible!!! I’d love a track list or Spotify playlist. – Matthew Schilling
I saw @jobsitetheater ‘s Hand to God tonight and I want to convince y’all to go see it. 🧵: – @jewishcastiel
Yes. Everyone in Tampa should try to see it. – @Milk_Lunch
Great show!!
Andy York, Tampa Actors School