The End Times

Reviewed by Vanessa Cate
Skylight Theatre Company & Playwrights’ Arena
Extended through May 29

RECOMMENDED

Skylight Theatre Company and Playwrights’ Arena share a similar mission: to cultivate and promote new works and emerging voices. They have joined forces for the first time on The End Times, a new play by Jesse Mu-En Shao, which hits the stage after a long development process.

In a way, Shao’s work began in his childhood. He grew up in what he defines as a cult, and only left The Lord’s Recovery when he was twenty. Shao is still a young man, and The End Times is perhaps too close to home to be unbiased, serving more as a step in his own healing process than as a truly effective consideration of cult-hood.

Tim (Christian T. Chan) is excited to move into the Brother House with his best friend Evan (Matt Pascua), where they can devote themselves fully and equally to Christ and to their leader Nelson (Joe Spano, who is only ever portrayed on imposing and often fractal projections). But complications begin to arise and make it more difficult to live by rigid standards of behavior.

For instance, who can blame Tim for developing feelings for the beautiful Ruthann (Mariah Robinson) whom he has known and adored since childhood? The pinnacle of their relationship may only amount to her sneaking out of the Sister House to “fellowship” with him about the morning service, but his natural desire for her quickly becomes something he cannot ignore. And when Evan is mysteriously evicted from the group, pressure is put on Tim to “nail that relationship to the cross” and simply move on.

The ensemble is talented, and the members of the cult are frightening in their unwavering devotion. Chan’s Tim is gorgeously humane and easy to root for. You can even forgive his profound misguidance when you recognize how little of the world outside of his faith he’s actually known. And despite the constant pressure and the fear of being left behind in the end times, he’s always trying to do the right thing, even when it’s difficult.

The script is at times fascinating, at times infuriating.  The play would have benefited from a more nuanced exploration of the fine line between religion and cult; moreover, the playwright does himself a disservice when he makes Evan’s banishment a result of corruption rather than ideological difference.

Christopher Scott Murillo’s set, Mylette Nora’s costumes, McLeod’s lighting design, and Lily Bartensetin’s projections serve the material well, and Playwrights’ Arena’s artistic director, Jon Lawrence Rivera, capably directs. Overall, The End Times delivers authenticity, powerful performances and food for thought.

Skylight Theatre, 1816 ½ North Vermont, Los Angeles; Sat. 8:30 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m.; Extended through May 29. (213)761-7061 or https://skylighttix.com Running time: Approximately 95 minutes with no intermission.