The Factory Theater Offers Hilarious Look at Televangelism in World Premiere of Prophet$



The Factory Theater concludes its 26th season with a world premiere production of Prophet$, written by Anthony Tournis and directed by Wm Bullion.  Chicago winters can challenge even the hardiest soul, so when spring finally arrives, locals search for reasons to laugh.  Prophet$ offers plenty of opportunities for audience to laugh off the cobwebs of winter.
Eric Roach, Anthony Tournis, and Eric Wang In The Factory Theater's Production of Prophet$
Photo by Michael Courier

It’s 1988 and a time of excess.  We meet a trio of down and out hustlers as they watch their latest scam, selling bootleg pornography tapes to teenagers, come crashing down. Vic (played by Tournis), and his hapless cohorts Seth Levy (Eric Wang) and Owen (Eric Roach), are trying to figure out what to do next.  As they watch successful TV Evangelist Leslie Good (Timothy Amos must have received his evangelical training in Slytherin), soliciting contributions from his virtual flock, Vic senses an opportunity for an easy score.  The trio arrive in a small Texas town to found the Church of the Prophet in order to “serve” the spiritual needs of their new found followers.  After a few hiccups, Vic’s preaching takes hold and the trio are off to the bank.  But the light of their success attracts attention, not all of it wanted.  During one live Sunday event, their show producer Darla Grant (Ashley Yates), a lifelong grifter, crashes on to the show announcing to Vic’s TV flock that she is his wife, newly returned from a mission trip.  The trio have little choice but to cut Darla in on their scam.  Even more unwelcome is a visit by TV Evangelist Goode, who is not happy with the competition and demands the quartet get out of town.  It appears his televangelist success is based more on destroying his competition than any heavenly intervention.
Eric Wang, Eric Roach, Anthony Tournis, and Kirk Jackson In Prophet$
Photo by Micahel Courier

Various hijinks ensue as the two preachers battle for a virtual congregation that isn’t big enough for the both of them. Bullion and Tournis fill the scenes with homages to the 1980s.  The show plays on the stereotypes of TV evangelists, with their six figure incomes, huge mansions, jets, and over-the-top lifestyles. The con artist trio’s rise from religious obscurity to success is depicted in a campy, 80s style music video (choreographed by Becca Holloway) that will have you checking your MTV listing.  
Timothy C.Amos as Preacher Leslie Goode
Photo by Michael Courier

Prophet$ seems to stumble during the last third of the play as if Tournis is unsure how best to resolve the Vic-Good conflict.  The show makes a brief detour from physical comedy to almost tenderness.  Faced with losing his church to Good, Vic has a rare challenge of conscience when he learns that he has unwittingly provided solace and happiness to the elderly Agnes (played wonderfully by Lorraine Freund).  Despite his protests, she refuses to believe Vic is a fraud.  “You made me happy,” she explains.

If you are a fan of 80s-style movie comedies and frat-boy humor, then The Factory Theater’s production of Prophet$ is a great way to jumpstart your summer.  Prophet$ runs weekends through July 20.  For more information, including ticket purchases, check out www.TheFactoryTheater.com.

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