A Case for the Existence of God

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Ross Zentner

Two people sitting in front of a desk.

Josh Krause (left) and Jamal James in "A Case for the Existence of God," Forward Theater, 2025.

Is A Case for the Existence of God a sister play of sorts to Forward’s last production, Summer, 1976? In that play, two moms meet on the playground; here, in Samuel D. Hunter's 2022 play, two dads meet at a loan office; their kids attend the same daycare, and the themes of parenthood, and male friendship, emerge. But from there, things diverge. Hunter’s play is about the complexities in the relationship between two people, gay and straight, Black and white. There are problems here, but the play argues for hope. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sundays, plus 2 p.m. performances on April 5 and 12.

media release: 

final weekend update: Although tickets are becoming scarce for the final week of CASE, there are no sold out performances at this time. Things to remember if you're buying tickets:

- There are two seating options for every performance date. ALL SEATING is located on the main floor of the Playhouse. Choose "Stage Seating" to be placed in the new section created specifically for this production. Choose the second option to be placed in original Playhouse seats.  

- If one section shows "sold out," don't give up! Be sure to check both seating options for availability (see below). Remember, both options are located on the main floor of the Playhouse with an equal view of the action. 

For their final production in the 2024-25 season, Forward Theater Company will present A Case for the Existence of God by Samuel D. Hunter. Directed by Jen Uphoff Gray. Performances are in the Playhouse at Overture Center for the Arts, March 27 – April 13. The play features Jamal James and Josh Krause.

Forward will be transforming the Playhouse at Overture Center to present this play in-the-round, with all of the action taking place on a revolving turntable stage.

Our preshow lectures explore the themes and inner-workings of our productions, presented Thursdays (6:30pm) and Sundays (1:00pm) on the Rotunda stage in the Playhouse lobby. They provide an insightful look at our production design and creative process. 

You can also enjoy the lectures online, any time! Visit the CASE show page, or check out our YouTube channel and join Artistic Associate Marcella Kearns for a filmed version. It makes for a perfect pre-or-postshow experience. 

“This particular play leapt so strongly off the page for me,” said director Jen Uphoff Gray. “It’s something to do with my admiration for Hunter’s writing that is somehow both naturalistic and transcendent, and the challenges the script presented for us as storytellers – to take a play that requires a bare minimum of movement and make it fill our theater.

But most of all, perhaps, it was the way this profoundly humanistic play spoke to me as a person who has no allegiance to any organized religion, but nonetheless was raised by my parents to look for faith and morality in how we treat each other.”

THE STORY

Inside a cubicle in a small office in southern Idaho, two men find themselves bound together as they struggle to balance the confounding terms on a loan. Through the hardships and hilarities of parenthood, economic pressures, and personal dreams, their evolving friendship becomes a profound exploration of human connection, faith, and the search for meaning in everyday life.

ARTISTIC TEAM

A Case for the Existence of God features Jamal James and Josh Krause.

Scenic & Lighting Designer: Noele Stollmack

Costume Designer: Jason Orlenko

Composer/Sound Designer: Joe Cerqua

Props Master: Kaya Sarajian

Technical Director: Adam Hastings

Stage Manager: Shawn Galligan

Asst. Stage Manager: Abbi Hess  

TICKETS

Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased online at forwardtheater.com, or via overture.org. Tickets start at $46, can be purchased via phone at 608.258.4141. Discounts available.

SPONSORS

A Case for the Existence of God is generously sponsored by Sybil & Maurice Better, MG&E, TruStage, and Madison365.