The Savannah Disputation

Evan Smith's comedy creates the illusion of a dispute. Young, Evangelical Melissa squares off with Margaret, her sister Mary, and their priest, Father Murphy. The play takes potshots at religious rigidities on both sides. Some strike home, but Evans takes his themes and characters only so far. He'd much rather entertain than enlighten or, perish the thought, offend and concludes with such a sweet sitcom wrap that everyone returns to their one-note ways with most scratches healed before curtain call. The Old Globe cast received a well-deserved standing ovation on opening night. Throughout Nancy Robinette (beatific Mary), Mikel Sarah Lambert (feisty Margaret), James Sutorious (pensive Murphy), and Kimberly Parker Green (perky Melissa) tried to make a 90-minute, joke-driven play character-driven. Their spiky interactions made the ride enjoyable, while the ride lasted. Deb O built her cluttered set on a familiar expression. Piles of Good Books hold up the stage: the four M's literally testify on a stack of Bibles.

October 1 Through November 1