Who says God and Science (not to mention comedy) don’t mix?
THE IMMACULATE BIG BANG Written and Performed by Bill Santiago Now Playing at Q.E.D Astoria Monthly (every 4th Monday)
“No cosmic question is too challenging to escape the laser wit of Bill Santiago” – DC Metro Arts.
Sparked by the death of his father and birth of his daughter, Comedy Central comedian Bill Santiago goes in search of answers and laughs at the border of science and religion, exploring the comic nature of the cosmic quest for understanding existence, life, death and the number 33 (not necessarily in that order).
Not only does Santiago take on his two favorite frenemies — Religion and Science — in his new show, “The Immaculate Big Bang,” but he launches into the audacious material from a poignant narrative framed by the death of his father and subsequent birth of his daughter. Yeah, it’s ambitious. And, wait for it… hilarious.
In “The Immaculate Big Bang,” which he wrote and performs, Santiago ruminates across a philosophical spectrum ranging from quantum physics to Catholicism, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle to Islamic images of Paradise, as he probes under the hood of science and belief and discovers both their profundities and absurdities.
Along the way, he explores the existential properties of Dr. Seuss’ immortal Green Eggs and Ham, the concept of parthenogenesis as a possible explanation for the virgin birth, and the apotheosis of Apple products.
“All of us experience life cycle events that make us pause and contemplate,” notes theater critic Amy Kotkin. “But few of us have the talent to either pen such an exquisite show, or perform it with poise, terrific timing, and gravitas. Fortunately for us, Bill Santiago has the chops to do both. You will never have a better time musing on the nature of life.”
Santiago swings for the existential fences, delivering a show drawing critical acclaim. “Bill Santiago’s comic monologue is so much better than the rest of the stand-up I’ve seen at this year’s (Vancouver) Fringe that he makes the other guys look like they’re sitting down,” praised theater critic Colin Thomas.