Atheist's Paradise presented by The Edge of the Universe Players 2 at Woolly Mammoth Theatre

Atheist's Paradise

Woolly Mammoth Theatre
641 D St NW Washington

Atheist’s Paradise is the story of “Doc” Johnson, an aging but defiant faculty member at a small Christian college, and his students, including Sheila, who changes greatly in her freshman year. Doc, who is both head football coach and philosophy professor, is dedicated to teaching critical thinking—he claims that being able to think is vital in a changing world—until new college president Jim—concerned with image and finances—pressures Doc to create a winning football team and to abandon controversial teaching. Defying Jim, Doc counsels Sheila, a frightened, religiously raised freshman, and self-destructive freshman Bob; both try to help him when his future is in question.

Presented by The Edge of the Universe Players 2

Thru - Nov 25, 2012

Price: $15

Stage: Melton Rehearsal Hall

Show Type: Drama

Running Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes with 1 intermission

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Atheist's Paradise Reviews

Average Rating based on 4 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Washington Post - Somewhat Recommended

"... The paucity of rounded characters, and the lack of nuance in the story’s key conflicts, undermine “Atheist’s Paradise” as a play of ideas. Goodman is interested in important and —given various university controversies and all the recent talk about student debt —timely questions: What is the purpose of higher education?What is the value of skepticism and doubt?How do people grow intellectually and morally?Unfortunately, by grafting these concerns onto an ultra-schematic story, while giving short shrift to the views of Doc’s opponents, “Atheist’s Paradise” fails both as theater and as invitation to debate."

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- Celia Wren

Washington City Paper - Somewhat Recommended

"... But the bigger-picture problem facing Atheist’s Paradise is that Goodman has buried a compelling story under competing metanarratives. As a framing device, the show opens with a cosmic justice court, featuring Jan Forbes in a long flowing robe talking like one those faux ancient Greeks from the original Star Trek. Throughout the play, The Judge eavesdrops on the action and offers commentary on eternal punishment that is apparently not a joke. The plot has a few holes, and it’s not clear who or what we’re supposed be rooting for, other than for Doc to continue his career as a beloved philosopher-jock. Ultimately, the stress of figuring out the meaning of life in the red zone might be a little too much for Doc, and for the Edge of the Universe Players, to pull off the big win."

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- Rebecca J. Ritzel

MD Theatre Guide - Somewhat Recommended

"... Atheist’s Paradise could work as a play but it is in need of a dramaturge desperately and without a strong leading man I have to say Atheist’s Paradise is god-awful."

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- Elliot Lanes

DCTheatreScene - Not Recommended

Atheist’s Paradise is, at bottom, an extended memorial service for Henry Daniel “Doc” Johnson, philosopher, pilot and football coach for Midvale United Methodist University. Regrettably, this earnest, inert drama, like its protagonist, requires the services of a pathologist. Stand back; I will open.

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- Tim Treanor

Atheist's Paradise presented by The Edge of the Universe Players 2 at Woolly Mammoth Theatre