JUDGMENT DAY
An Irreverent Comedy

Virtual Reading Benefitting Barrington Stage Company

By ROB ULIN

With
JASON ALEXANDER, PATTI LuPONE, SATINO FONTANA, MICHAEL McKEAN
LORETTA DeVINE, JOSH JOHNSTON, BIANCO LaVERNE JONES, JULIAN EMILE LERNER, JUSTINA MACHADO
CAROL MANSELL, MICHAEL MASTRO, ELIZABETH STANLEY

Directed by MATTHEW PENN

Online July 26 – August 1, 2021

https://www.stellartickets.com/o/barrington-stage/events/judgment-day

In Bob Ulin’s JUDGMENT DAY Samuel Compo (Jason Alexander) has almost died and gone to heaven. Just before the Pearly Gates, he encounters Sister Margaret (Patti LuPone), who was a form of torture in his elementary Catholic school days. Being the unconscionable sleazy lawyer that he is, Sister Margaret feels inclined to give him a preview tour of Hell. Samuel negotiates his way back to earthly existence and vows to do good deeds to give him points for his next, and presumably final, demise. He enlists the assistance of a priest (Santino Fontana), and from there the lines between good and evil, right and wrong, and moral and immoral become blurred. Some of the exchanges between Samuel and the priest are hilarious. Michael McKean as the monsignor and a stellar cast round out this irreverent comedy.

JUDGMENT DAY is by far the most professional virtual production I have seen during the pandemic. The actors are no slouches, and they have beautifully mastered the art of virtuality. Kudos to Director Matthew Penn. Perfect synchronicity, simplistic backgrounds, cues and eye contact that make you become a part of the action – all of this works to masterfully render Ulin’s work. 83 minutes of mesmerizing pure delight! And stick around for the outtakes at the end – hysterical!

- Laurie Lawson -