God's Country (play)

God's Country is a 1988 play written by American playwright Steven Dietz and first produced by ACT Theatre in Seattle. It covers the events around the 1984 murder of Alan Berg, a Jewish radio talk show host, by the white supremacist group The Order. The play had been produced over 200 times by 1998.

Plot

The play uses nonlinear narrative strands following three people:[1]

  • Alan Berg, a Jewish talk show host who was murdered by members of The Order
  • Robert Jay Mathews, the founder of The Order
  • Denver Parmenter, a former member of The Order who became a prosecutor's witness in the federal trial against members of the Order

The frame of the play is a trial from real life of ten members of The Order on racketeering charges.[1] Much of the dialogue of the play comes through documents like court transcripts and statements from Order members.[2] A series of fictional vignettes rounds out the play.

Production

God's Country, written by Steven Dietz, was first produced by ACT Theatre in Seattle. As of 1998, the play had been produced over 200 times.[3]

Reception

Many critics thought the play was important to understand supremacist extremism in the United States following events such as the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.[4] A review in The News & Observer in 2010 said that the production was a "chilling reminder of the results of unchecked hatred."[5]

The play's reliance on primary sources and documents meant that the characters "speak mostly their own words,"[6] which some critics appreciated. However, some critics desired a deeper investigation into the motivations and beliefs of The Order. According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: "[…The play] retains an observer's distance that, at this remove, fails to satisfy. We know what they believe. How do they believe it? Dietz seems as lost as the rest of us."[7] The Chicago Reader said "God’s Country never offers a convincing psychological portrait of the people it puts center stage."[8]

The Los Angeles Times and The News & Observer wrote that the play tried to give too much information in facts and dates, confusing the audience. The play's format where scenes change quickly and actors change characters also added to confusion.[5][9]

Many critics praised the interlude scenes, calling them powerful, eerie, and gripping.[5][8][9]

References

  1. ^ a b Lincoln, Ivan M. (October 1, 1992). "'God's Country' is Powerful Piece of Theatrical Literature". Deseret News. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  2. ^ Iannelli, E. J. (May 24, 2018). "A new production of God's Country aims to spark discussion and self-reflection about racism". Inlander. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  3. ^ Tu, Janet I-Chin (February 1, 1998). "Busy, Busy, Busy: Playwright Steven Dietz Juggles Many Projects". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  4. ^ Godfrey, John (June 15, 1995). "in GOD'S country - Painfully topical play examines motives of supremacist movement". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. Entertainment, Night & Day 4 – via Newsbank.
  5. ^ a b c Dicks, Roy C. (June 29, 2010). "Play's message overwhelms 'God's Country'". News & Observer. p. Life 1D. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  6. ^ Miller, Daryl H. (July 31, 1992). "Evil Doings in 'God's Country'". Daily News of Los Angeles. pp. L22. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  7. ^ Truzzi, Gianni (January 30, 2006). "On Stage: 'God's Country' and 'Boston Marriage' Miss Their Marks". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  8. ^ a b Williams, Albert (November 29, 1990). "God's Country". Chicago Reader. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  9. ^ a b Koehler, Robert (July 15, 1992). "Stage Review: Dietz's 'God's Country': Big Sets, Big Ideas". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
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