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"God's Favorite," Neil Simon's comedic rendition of the book of Job is given a fresh and modern makeover in California Baptist University's production, which opened last weekend at the Wallace Theater. While Job is not typically considered the most humorous book in the Old Testament, the play provides an engaging and accessible rendition that leaves audiences with lingering enjoyment.

The plot focuses on the Benjamin family, who live in material comfort in a Long Island mansion. Joe Benjamin, the patriarch of the family, owns a successful cardboard box factory and his only worries stem from frustration due to his degenerate son, David. All this changes when Joe is visited by a messenger of God, who informs him that God and the devil are in a fight for Joe's soul. This, explains the messenger, will result in a turn of bad luck for the Benjamins, culminating in Joe's decision to either renounce God, or remain faithful. Throughout the play, Joe's unwavering devotion is offset by epic-level disasters and hilarious one-liners.

The play's entertainment arises primarily from the characters themselves; each is distinct in behavior and makes the play a delight to watch. Garrett Replogle delivers a typically dynamic performance as Joe Benjamin, managing to walk the line between seriousness and humor. As his wife, Emily Green sparkles as New York housewife Rose Benjamin, and provides a sharp comedic zing to her scenes, while Christian Cannon is extremely believable as reprobate, David. Joe's servants and children also add a depth of humor to the play, especially in their non-verbals.

As a mostly-blind Sydney Lipton, Jon Meader is an unlikely messenger of God, but his energy is barely contained on stage as he folds himself into chairs, River- dances and delivers messages from atop a piano.

"God's Favorite" confronts serious themes such as the conflict between material comfort and devotion to God in an engaging, humorous manner and will play at the Wallace Theater on Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Feb. 27 at 8 p.m.