'Early One Evening at the Rainbow Bar & Grill' portrays life before the world ends

It's the end of the world as they know it.

That's the scenario for the cast of "Early One Evening at the Rainbow Bar & Grill," the latest production at the Mansfield Playhouse, playing the next two weekends on the 2nd Stage.

Described as a "wonderful, offbeat variation on the saloon situation comedy," the play details the following scenario: Nuclear bombs have destroyed much of the U.S. and various denizens of this working-class bar are trying to decide what to do.

Enter a traveling salesman who turns out to be God, come to offer the bartender immortality if he will write a new Bible and get it right this time.

Steve Russell plays Joe, a.k.a. God.

"I turn up in the last third of the play," Russell said. "I really put the cat among the pigeons."

His character is in human form.

"He's obviously not from around there," Russell said. "Rainbow" is set in the 1980s in Pennsylvania. "He wants to get the best out of the people he's interacting with."

While "Rainbow," which was written by Bruce Graham, is a comedy, there are also moments of genuine emotion, providing a challenge for the cast.

'Rainbow' offers balance between comedy and poignancy

"There's a balance to be had," Russell said. "You want to get the laughs when they're there, but you don't want to take away from those (poignant) moments."

Russell is happy to perform again at the Playhouse for his first show there since the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I'm always on the lookout to get back into it. This was the first role that came up," he said. "It's good to be back."

Aaron McNulty plays Shep, the bartender charged with rewriting the Bible.

"God hands me a set of books," he said. "He basically tosses it at me and says, 'Have fun.'''

McNulty has performed mainly in Bucyrus and Galion and also in college. He hasn't been on stage in four or five years.

"I took a pretty long hiatus, doing the whole working and grinding thing," he said.

McNulty will be making only his second appearance at the Playhouse.

"It was a little nerve-wracking," he said. "You look around and you see a lot of talented people. You want to make sure you're up to their level."

Patrons are close to the actors on 2nd Stage

At the same time, McNulty said the cast has welcomed him.

"I love it here. It's just homey to me," he said. "The community is tight-knit. Everybody supports each other."

McNulty also is looking forward to playing the 2nd Stage, where patrons are close to the actors.

"I like the intimacy of it all. I would like to see shows like this," he said.

He also wanted to work with Candy Boyd, one of his favorite directors.

Boyd is a Playhouse regular, both on and off-stage, but she hasn't directed since January 2019, largely because of the pandemic.

"It's been awhile," she said.

Boyd jumped at the chance to direct "Rainbow," which was offered at the Playhouse in the 1990s.

"I've wanted to direct this show for at least 25 years," Boyd said.

She was drawn to the subject matter.

"I happen to love the whole post-apocalyptic genre, so this is right up my alley," Boyd said. "It's during the end of the world. It's going on around them.

"It's a good character piece. That's what I love about it the most."

'Rainbow' is not a conventional comedy

She added "Rainbow" has a lot of "meat and poignancy to it."

"It's a good 2nd Stage production because it's not a conventional comedy, which is what tends to play well upstairs," Boyd said.

She said she was fortunate to find a number of set pieces, including a jukebox.

While Boyd hasn't directed in more than four years, Jennifer Briner will be acting for the second time in less than three months. She performed in "Radio TBS," another 2nd Stage production, in March.

"I've loved theater since I was in elementary school," Briner said. "I've always wanted to be an actress."

She plays Virginia in this play.

"I feel a lot of the same way Virginia does," Briner said. "I relate to the trauma that she's been through. She's a very deep person.

"She's very protective. She can be bitchy, but deep down, she loves her family."

Briner said she appreciates "Rainbow's" take on God and how people need to take responsibility for their own actions.

The seven-member cast also includes Jeffrey Hutchison, Carl Hunnell, Karl Schuster and Jodie McCall.

"Rainbow" will be offered at 8 p.m. May 19, 20, 26 and 27. The cost is $13. Because it's on the 2nd Stage, tickets are limited.

Tickets are available at the box office, which is open from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and one hour before the show. The address is 95 E. Third St.

People also can call 419-522-2883 or visit mansfieldplayhouse.com.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield Playhouse offers post-apocalyptic comedy next two weekends