Playwright: Matthew Miller from Biblical translations. At: SiNNERMAN Ensemble at Viaduct Theatre, 3111 N. Western. Phone: 773-296-6024; $20. Runs through April 25
There's a lot of theatrical artistry on display in SiNNERMAN Ensemble's world premiere of Bible B-Sides. Yet for a show that has such a glib pop-culture title ( think old 45-rpm vinyl singles ) , Bible B-Sides presents itself far too seriously.
Just from the title alone, I expected a series of lesser-known Biblical stories that poked fun at some of the more salacious and odder aspects of the Old Testament. So it's a bit of a disappointment that the majority of these tales by director and playwright Matthew Miller are scripted so solemnly and straightforward.
For example, the incestuous rape of Lot by his daughters ( after they flee Sodom ) and the much-debated "love" that Jonathan had for the future King David are both pretty much presented at face value. We get very little interpretation ( scholarly or imagined ) as to why these characters behaved the way they did since Miller and his ensemble have opted to stick as closely as possible to the texts of the New International Version and The Message translations of the Bible.
What Miller seems to be aiming for in Bible B-Sides is like Tony Award-winning director Mary Zimmerman's creative theatrical adaptations of ancient myths ( Metamorphoses ) and fairy tales ( The Secret in the Wings ) . Yet without much modern-day commentary ( nor a solid theme or framing device to give a raison d'ętre to the whole enterprise ) , Bible B-Sides leaves you largely with a chilly series of story tableaux that sometimes leave you asking, "And...?"
What deserves to be commended in Bible B-Sides is its slick presentation and eager ensemble of 11 actors. Taking on a plethora of roles, the company goes all out for the many rounds of Matthias Maloff's stylized stage combat.
Some of the more memorable turns include Jeremy Fisher as an angry and mouthy God, Matt Devine as the vengeful warrior Jepthah, Sue Redman as the whore Gomer and Paul Dunckel as the morally conflicted King David.
As a director, Miller takes a grab-bag approach to telling different stories that encompasses inspiration from graphic novels, silhouetted pantomime and even a 1980s music video for The Story of Deborah.
The music-video vibe extends to the production values. Mary Margaret Bartley's set of platforms and metal beams and Stefin Steberle's costumes all adhere to a black-and-silver color scheme ( which blends quite nicely with the Viaduct Theatre's slanted ceiling of foil-coated insulation ) .
What Bible B-Sides has going for it is its slick theatricality and enthusiastic ensemble. But don't go expecting too much introspection as to why these Biblical tales are relevant today or why they've been designated "B-Side."