THE HARVEST by Samuel Hunter at LCT3 Reams Religious Fervor

Playwright Samuel Hunter (b Idaho 1981) received the Drama Desk for "The Whale" ('13.)  His award winning plays delve into religious fervor with an unfavorable light.  His characters tend to be manipulative religious fanatics or vulnerable individuals seeking solace.  "The Harvest" is a laborious one act with some clever writing and several intriguing characters.  However, this loquacious play drives its biting commentary on religion through the head like a rusty nail.  Aida (the exceptional Zoe Winters "Red Speedo") is the driving, divine force for a group of maleable young people seeking to do good proselytizing Christianity to the world.  Aida assures her followers they're making a real difference in the world by spreading "the superior Christian faith." The play begins & ends with a feverish prayer session complete with convulsions & incoherent tongues.  In between, there's an intense reunion between Josh & his older sister Michaela.  Michaela, a former meth addict, didn't return home for the recent burial of their alcoholic father.  She's driven back 12 hours straight after Josh sent her a terse email.  She is on a mission to save him from throwing his life away in a war torn Arabic country converting Muslims to Christianity.  The play is set in the basement of a church.  The allegory of descending downward into darkness is apparent along with the total blackouts between multiple scenes.  There are other subplots:  a married couple with a controlling & cowardly husband and the sexual tension between Josh & Tom.  Tom is the tormented son of the church's patriarch.  Just before heading to the airport, Aida hands out childish, paper awards to the group.  "The Harvest" gleams secular views while scorning religious zealots.  Sadly, the seeds of satire lose zeal by the end of this belabored play.