Playwright Brian S. Brijbag’s ‘Funeral of god‘ blends comedy and philosophy to explore questions of faith, meaning, and humanity’s relationship with the divine. Instead of waiting for Godot, a troupe of actors are waiting for god. The major difference is that Brijbag adds more humor than Beckett.
This ninety-minute play takes place on a bare stage, where a coffin-like box sits at the center. A troupe of actors prepares to perform a funeral for a deity. The casket becomes the focus of their debate as they question whether god is dead, watching, or simply uninterested.
Alyssa Naka Silver, an actress, singer, and writer who graduated from NYU Tisch Drama, plays the director. Her character tries to impose order on a chaotic world and a troupe of actors who cannot follow directions. Silver effectively conveys the director’s frustration as the script disappears, the actors miss their cues, and the production begins to unravel.
Regina Palian, whose work spans television, film, and stage, portrays Helen, the one character who believes god is watching. She approaches the deity with reverence and awe. In contrast, Hunter Thorne plays Marvin, the cynic, bringing a steady sense of doubt to the role. Thore comes to the stage from film and television. Jax, the flamboyant clown, uses humor as both explanation and defense. Cal Wright, a recent graduate of Pace University, creates a convincing and memorable character. Emma Anne Johnson, a Brooklyn-based performer, plays the stagehand, who has only two lines in the entire play. Even so, Johnson commands attention through movement, presence, and body language.
Together, the actors form a believable troupe confronting an unlikely task. As warm-ups fail, blocking is forgotten, and theological arguments unfold, the play examines the role of god and the ways people construct meaning. By the end, each character sees something different in their image of the divine. Brijbag asks the audience to consider its own role in shaping religion, belief, and narrative. Funeral of god is a tragicomedy that confronts the collapse of faith and the shifting nature of meaning.
The Broadway Bound Theatre Festival (BBTF), presented by AMT Theatre, showcases original and thought-provoking productions. Its long-term goals are to expand artistic opportunities and encourage innovation. Funeral of god fulfills those goals, offering a provocative and engaging contribution to both BBTF and AMT Theatre.
