"This is not Sunday School!" That's one of the tag lines Dorsey McPhee had been using to promote his stage play, "Jesus vs. Satan: A One Man Show". It's also the understatement of the year.

The C-rated, one-night-only presentation played at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts on Saturday, August 30. As part of "Theatre of the Gospel" from McPhee's From The Pond Productions, the production features 11 different scenes -- including "The Baptism of Jesus", "The Beheading of John the Baptist", "Satan Wants All", and "The Boil Grouper Breakfast Galilee Beach" -- examining the period of Jesus' ministry up to and after his resurrection. It's also said to be a "religion comedy drama". That description alone might result in some head scratching, especially since comedy is rarely used to convey this portion of the "greatest story ever told". If it helps, think of it as a church revival led by the most vibrant and expressive pastor ever.

Indisputably, McPhee delivers one heck of a performance. He is a frenetic ball of energy, bounding incessantly back and forth on the stage, delivering his lines with unfathomable exuberance. One can only imagine his complete exhaustion after the two-and-a-half-hour performance. Even more mind-blowing though, is how McPhee manages to keep straight in his mind the various parts of the production. In these 11 scenes, he plays seemingly dozens of characters (his own official count puts the number close to 30). Those characters include Jesus and Satan, of course, but also Mary Magdalene, Peter, John The Baptist, King Herod, and Herodias (the king's brother's wife, whom he takes as his own), and her daughter. He refers to one of those two ladies as the "jungaless" as together they use a seductive dance routine to demand John's head on a platter from Herod.

Speaking of dance routines, McPhee also dances -- and often. He vividly demonstrates that very routine, all while Soca star Alison Hinds' "Roll it Gal" plays loudly! Clearly, there's a lot going on here. And at many times, there's too much. One of the main challenges is that these many characters are having full-fledged conversations with each other. For example, McPhee, as Jesus, will speak and McPhee, as Satan, will reply. Some characters are also speaking in Bahamian vernacular, and using modern slang and sometimes not-so-modern slang.

With all the voices and the dancing, and with McPhee taking on the persona of the late American recording artist James Brown, and most perplexingly, the late Bahamian painter and architect Jackson Burnside, it's as if we are watching someone in a highly altered state -- what movies have led us to believe happens to someone with multiple personalities. Anyone who's ever watched the late Robin Williams doing stand-up might get the picture. However, that endless parade of voices, screeches, screams and shrieks makes the salty language and swear words seem like child's play. As such, I can't recall whether McPhee's Jesus actually curses, but his Satan certainly has a potty mouth.

Before the launch of the play last month, McPhee told The Nassau Guardian that he is hoping for those "who would have never ventured into a church, to come and see the story". And truthfully, those unfamiliar with the Bible might be inspired to learn more about the good book. Unfortunately, the one-night showing attracted quite a number of priests, pastors and church-folk. So, McPhee was essentially "preaching to the choir". (McPhee said based on the response, he may do encore performances.)

While "Jesus vs. Satan" avoids any unusual interpretation or unique perspectives on these Gospel stories, and while the method of presenting these stories can be jarring and abrasive, McPhee must nonetheless be commended and encouraged for his efforts. But like Sunday School, sometimes the simpler the story, the better.

Dwight Strachan stepped out of the movie theater this week and into the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts for his review.

o Dwight Strachan is the host/producer of " Morning Blend" on Guardian Radio. He is a television producer and writer, and an avid TV history and film buff. Email dwight@nasguard.com and follow him on twitter @morningblend969

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