Samuel D. Hunter’s Intimate Drama Explores Male Friendship, Fatherhood, and the Search for Connection.
New City Players proudly presents the Florida premiere of Samuel D. Hunter’s deeply moving drama, A Case for the Existence of God, starring Carbonell-nominated actors Ryan Didato and Randall Swinton in a tender exploration of two fathers from different worlds who discover that their survival might depend on the unlikeliest of things—each other.
Two fathers. One cubicle. And a loan application that becomes a lifeline. When Ryan walks into Keith’s mortgage office, they’re strangers united only by desperation—one fighting to keep his foster daughter, the other scrambling to secure his baby’s future. But as the housing market collapses and their personal lives unravel, these two men from opposite worlds discover something unexpected: each other.
This 90-minute conversation unfolds entirely in a mortgage broker’s cubicle in Twin Falls, Idaho, where Keith (Randall Swinton) and Ryan (Ryan Didato) haven’t seen each other since high school. What begins as a routine business transaction transforms into an unexpected friendship that challenges both men to confront their fears, their loneliness, and their desperate need for human connection.
“Having two actors that I have such admiration for tackle these vulnerable, complex roles is a gift,” says director Timothy Mark Davis, New City Players’ Producing Artistic Director. “Ryan and Randall both have remarkable depth and authenticity. I can’t wait to see them explore Hunter’s beautifully written characters.”
Davis goes on to discuss his excitement about why this is a play for the moment: “I think this play arrives at a moment when we are all hungry for authentic connection. The play shows two men courageously and vulnerably opening themselves up to each other as friends. That’s not something we get to see very often on our stages! I’m so excited for what conversations this play will start and what kind of connections it will inspire.”
Funny, heartbreaking, and surprisingly hopeful, A Case for the Existence of God is about what happens when masculine isolation finally cracks—and grace floods in through the break. The production continues New City Players’ landmark 10th anniversary season and their commitment to presenting theatre as a “public square”, in an effort to create space for audiences to examine what connects us across differences.
Beyond the Stage Programming: In addition to 13 performances spread over 3 weekends, New City Players has planned engaging post-show events that take audiences Beyond the Stage:
- Pay What You Wish Preview! Making theatre accessible with special pricing from $5-25. Friday, February 20th, 8pm.
- Opening Night Reception! Enjoy libations and small bites compliments of Union Kitchen & Bar and Clearwave Dental & Aesthetics with the cast and creative team immediately following the performance. Saturday, February 21st after the 8pm show.
- Weekend Wine Downs! Casual conversations and libations after Friday and Saturday night performances where patrons can discuss the play with each other and members of the creative team. February 27th, 28th, March 6th, and 7th.
- Sunday Talkbacks! Interactive discussions with the cast and creative team after every Sunday performance for those wanting to explore the production process. February 22nd, March 1st, and 8th.
A Case for the Existence of God runs for 13 performances from February 20 – March 8, 2025, at Island City Stage (2304 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305). Tickets are $40-45 with the exception of the “pay what you wish” preview on February 20th. Tickets can be purchased online at newcityplayers.org. For student and group discounts, email boxoffice@newcityplayers.org or call (954) 376-6114.
New City Players is a not-for-profit, ensemble-based, professional theatre company in Fort Lauderdale. newcityplayers.org | IG: @newcityplayers
