Theater News

The Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons to Play God on Broadway

Parsons will star in David Javerbaum’s new comedy, ”An Act of God”.

Jim Parsons will play God in the new comedy, An Act of God, at Studio 54.
Jim Parsons will play God in the new comedy An Act of God, directed by Joe Mantello, at Studio 54 beginning in May.
(© David Gordon)

Four-time Emmy Award winner Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) will return to Broadway this spring in An Act of God, a new comedy from 13-time Emmy-winning former Daily Show writer and producer David Javerbaum. Two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello directs the production at Studio 54, where it will begin performances on May 5 before opening on May 28.

Inspired by the best-selling book The Last Testament: A Memoir by God, which is described as having been written by God and transcribed by Javerbaum, as well as by Javerbaum's Twitter feed The Tweet of God, An Act of God will feature Parsons taking on the role of the Lord himself as he explores the mysteries of the Bible and answers some of the great existential questions that plague humankind.

"I chose Jim to play Me because I relish the irony of telling the real story of the Six Days of Creation through the star of The Big Bang Theory," God said in a statement. "Plus, he's funny. The theater was also chosen for ironic reasons, as Studio 54 — up to this point — has been the single most God-less place in the universe. And as for our director, Joe Mantello, that was not ironic. I've been a fan of his since Wicked!"

Additional cast members and the show's creative team will be announced soon.

Parsons was last seen on Broadway in Harvey at Studio 54. He made his debut in The Normal Heart opposite his Act of God director Joe Mantello. Since 2007, Parsons has starred as neurotic scientist Sheldon Cooper on the sitcom The Big Bang Theory; he has received four Emmys for his performance.

In addition to his work as a former head writer and executive producer on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, Javerbaum is the Tony-nominated songwriter behind the 2008 musical Cry-Baby and is currently at work as a producer on the upcoming Late Late Show With James Corden. He has contributed several of Neil Patrick Harris' songs for the Tony Awards, including "Broadway Is Not Just for Gays Anymore."

Jeffrey Finn produces the Broadway run of An Act of God, which is the first entry of the 2015-16 Broadway season. It is not a production of Roundabout Theatre Company, which owns and operates Studio 54.