Taproot resurrects play about misguided faith

Not often does a satirical 1930s comedy lost in the mists of time get a second life.

Count "Susan and God," which opens tonight at Greenwood's Taproot Theatre, as one of the lucky few.

Premiered on Broadway in 1937, and filmed as a 1940 star vehicle for Joan Crawford, this play by Rachel Crothers considers a socialite who finds religion — and mistakenly believes she has the answer to everyone's problems, especially her own family's.

Middle-aged Susan pesters her rich and idle pals, her alcoholic husband and troubled daughter with her vigorous proselytizing — before she wises up to reality.

The Mint Company, an Off Broadway ensemble devoted to unearthing vintage scripts, presented "Susan and God" in 2006 to critics impressed by its wit and bite. The New York Times termed the play "surprisingly up-to-date and, for all its 2 ½-hour running time, fast-paced and engaging satire."

Taproot Theatre, which has examined aspects of religious faith in previous shows, presents "Susan and God" in a production directed by artistic head Scott Nolte, and starring Lisa Peretti as the glamorously sincere but deluded Susan.

Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com