AMP stages God’s Favorite this weekend

The Albany Mainstreet Playhouse will take the stage this weekend with its production of God’s Favorite, a comedy by Neil Simon inspired by the biblical story of Job. Performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.

The play was last staged in Albany in 2010 and returns more than a decade later with a largely new cast under the direction of Lorna Ayers. The production also marks AMP’s second Neil Simon comedy in less than a year, following last winter’s presentation of Rumors.

Jeff Davis returns to the AMP stage in the lead role of Joe Benjamin, a modern-day Job whose faith is tested through a series of escalating trials. Kolby Tinkle also returns to the cast as Sidney Lipton, a role Davis portrayed during the earlier production. AMP veterans Ragan Riley and Keren Liming appear as Rose Benjamin and Mady, the family’s house servant.

Several new performers will be introduced to AMP audiences this weekend. Emma Smith and Parker Rose portray twins Sarah and Ben Benjamin, while David Waller makes his AMP debut in the role of David Benjamin.

The production crew includes Nickie Leveridge, Jenny Scott handling lighting, and Wade Jones managing audio, with Tony and Paul Hensley assisting with set construction. The show is underwritten by the C.E. Jacobs Foundation.

Tickets are priced at $20 for general admission seating and are available online at albanyplayhouse.com/shows or at the door on the day of the performance.

While God’s Favorite is suitable for most audiences, the humor and themes are best appreciated by teenagers and adults rather than very young children.

Albany Mainstreet Playhouse is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, AMP can be reached at albanymainstreetplayhouse@gmail.com.