Published: April 17, 2009 in The Greenville News

By Ann Hicks
Arts Writer
ahicks@greenvillenews.com

A fascinating play, "The God Committee," opened at Centre Stage on Thursday night for a three-week run.

April is National Donate Life Month, which dovetailed with playwright Mark St. Germain's powerful and informational drama that lets the audience become the fly on the wall in a hospital boardroom where a committee is about to decide which patient will receive a heart transplant.

As an antidote to the austere room where the seven decision-makers meet to weigh life and death, the outside intrudes with the noise of revelers celebrating St. Patrick's Day to remind us life goes on in its own way.

Under Dale Savidge's expert direction, his excellent ensemble creates a state of tension with strong emotional pull, slackened, from time to time, with a dusting of humor.
Savidge built each character with great care.

Veteran comic actor Todd Weir, in his first dramatic role as Dr. Alex Gorman, the nasty-tempered top-flight heart surgeon, is a revelation. He's a lovable villain. Weir gets so caught up in his role, his ears burn bright red as he becomes more and more incensed over the other six members of the transplant committee -- all milquetoasts as far as he's concerned.

They include Dr. Jack Klee, the cancer-stricken chairman of the transplant committee, an authentic role for Dr. Lou Buttino. Britney Teie, as softhearted resident Dr. Kierra Banks, turns in a strong performance, as does the reliable Catalina Keller as psychiatrist Dr. Ann Ross. Lorry Houston, a newcomer to Greenville, does an excellent job as the levelheaded nurse Nella Larkin.

Bruce Meahl as Domenick Piero, the bubbly, wheelchair-bound social worker, and Rod McClendon as Father Charles Dunbar, defense lawyer-turned-priest, offer much-needed comic relief with some of the best lines of the play.

Post-performance, representatives of Donate Life South Carolina and LifePoint fielded questions and offered advice on organ donation. They plan to be at each performance.

"The God Committee" runs through May 2. Call 233-6733.