Review: God of Carnage at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre

Playcrafters Barn Theatre’s lead off to its 2026 season is a remarkable production of the 2008 Tony Award winning script God of Carnage by French playwright Yasmina Reza and directed by Jeremy Mahr who can take well deserved pride in his production. I can’t praise this work enough without also recognizing the masterful translation by Christopher Hampton. It is no small task to capture both the spirit and dialog from one language to another and had I not known before attending that this play was originally written in French I would never have guessed it – the translation is absolutely seamless and natural.

The plot revolves around the very mundane meeting of two sets of parents to discuss a playground altercation between the two couples’ eleven year old sons, Benjamin Raleigh and Henry Novak. Benjamin’s parents, Annette and Alan are financially well-off while Henry’s folks, Michael and Veronica are definitely middle-class. They have come together because the boys’ quarrel resulted in Benjamin whacking Henry in the mouth with a stick knocking out two teeth.

I am 100% confident you can see where this is going. One mom defends her chick dismissing the other mom’s concern. The other mom wants accountability. The two dads pretty much adopt a broadly applied “boys will be boys” attitude but from very disparate perspectives. As the situation devolves the adults regress to childish behavior directed both at each other as well as their respective spouses that elicit everything from quiet chuckles to out-loud guffaws. This show is so relatable that I guarantee you will see on stage something or someone you know. You may well be laughing at yourselves.

Mahr has assembled a truly dynamite cast. In the roles of Annette and Alan are Leslie Day and Tom Taylor. I’ve seen Day on stage often and this is yet another outstanding notch in her acting belt. Although Taylor has a sterling silver and extensive résumé both in acting and directing he is new to me but I hope to see lots more of him. He breathed real life into his obnoxious, cell phone addicted lawyer. Making her superb Playcrafters debut as the self-righteous Veronica is Stephanie Burrough and as Michael is Mike Schulz. Although Schulz’s has a stellar directing history with Playcrafters this marks his acting debut and he brings his explosive energy to the character.

There is no credit for the set design in the program. To whomever the credit belongs they deserve a great big bravo. All the action takes place on the thrust portion of Playcrafters’ stage. The proscenium is masked by some very well-built black flats and drapery which effectively makes that area disappear. The acting area is decorated in an eponymous mid-century modern vibe that appropriately suggests this could happen anywhere at any time. The bright orange furniture against the stark black background keeps our focus right out front where it belongs.

This highly entertaining show runs about 85 jam packed minutes that will have you talking all the way home. It might even cause you to reassess your family dynamics.

Please note this show is R-rated for harsh language, denigrating epithets and adult situations. There is also a scene with simulated vomiting. But, even though I have a pretty strong gag reflex, it didn’t trigger a reaction for me.

God of Carnage continues at Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 4950 - 35th Avenue in Moline, Friday and Saturday March 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 8 at 3:00 p.m.

I’m Chris Hicks…break a leg.