A Case for the Existence of God

A Case for the Existence of God is a dramatic stage play written by American playwright Samuel D. Hunter. The play debuted in 2022 at the Signature Theatre Company Off-Broadway directed by David Cromer.

Synopsis

In southern Idaho, Keith, a mortgage broker, and Ryan, a factory worker hoping to reclaim land once owned by his family, discover a shared, deeply personal sense of sorrow. What begins as a routine financial meeting gradually unfolds into a broader conversation about economic instability and the fragile realities of raising children. Through humor and compassion, the play intertwines their stories, revealing unexpected connections across their different experiences on the margins.

Cast and characters

Production history

Samuel D. Hunter began writing the play prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing on his experiences adopting a child and navigating the process of purchasing a home. He set the work in Idaho, where he previously lived, and has described the play as an exploration of the financial and social systems shaping the lives of non-wealthy Americans.

The show premiered Off-Broadway at Signature Theatre Company, directed by David Cromer and starring Kyle Beltran as Keith and Will Brill as Ryan. Previews began April 12, 2022 before officially opening on May 2, 2022, running through June 5, 2022. The show received acclaim, with The New York Times calling it a "must-see heartbreaker of a play" and 'America Magazine lauded it as "sneakily profound."

The Off-Broadway production was nominated for three Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Play, five Lucille Lortel Award, including Outstanding Play, and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play.

The show has since premiered at regional theatres across the country, such as Know Theatre of Cincinnati, Oregon Contemporary Theatre and Mosaic Theatre Company in Washington, D.C..

Awards and nominations

2022 Off-Broadway production