Climbing a narrow staircase, the space opens into a black box theater. On stage, three statues stand solemnly beneath a glass-like church window suspended in the background, casting a soft glow over the figures. Two simple chairs await as the actors enter through a single door, marking the start of an intimate, two-person journey into faith and desire.
“Without God as My Lover” is a 90-minute two-hander written by Megan Medley and produced by Taproot Creatives. After a successful New York run, the team brought the project to Philadelphia with the same cast and crew. The story centers on Teresa, a Catholic turned atheist who, after being disowned for defying church doctrine, seeks answers about her estranged father’s final days from his confessor, Father Daniel. As their forbidden romance unfolds, they confront and challenge each other’s beliefs on faith, love, and forgiveness. In a post-production open discussion with the audience, they noted that the second run has allowed them to deepen the emotional layers of the performance and refine the staging for added resonance.
The play’s setting is essential to its atmosphere and consists of three carefully selected statues: Saint Sebastian, Saint Lucy, and the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa.
Saint Sebastian (middle) stands out as a bold choice, as it challenges traditional views of masculinity. In the discussion, the creative team revealed that they originally considered using three female statues, but Sara Fellini, the set designer, decided to include a male figure to consciously add a layer of discomfort to highlight how male sensuality is more provocative than the normalized objectification of female bodies. Her suggestion of Saint Sebastian as the “sexiest male saint” reflects the powerful, sensual legacy attached to his imagery. On stage, Saint Sebastian’s martyrdom, depicted with an undeniably sensual aesthetic, suggests a more fluid relationship between devotion and desire, which serves as a visual metaphor for Daniel’s internal struggles.
The statue of Saint Lucy (right), symbolically holding her own eyes, features a creative twist: instead of implementing actual eyes, a melting candle rests in her hand. This adds thematic resonance, as Lucy’s lack of physical sight becomes a metaphor for Teresa’s “lack of sight” or “lack of foresight.” As the creative team highlighted, Lucy’s eyes represent both the ability to see beyond physical boundaries and the tragic limitations of emotional vision. For Teresa, Lucy’s blindness mirrors her struggle with unresolved questions about her past. However, the continuous presence of the candle’s light, symbolizing enlightenment, throughout the play suggests that she was never completely lost. In her conversations with Father Daniel, Teresa begins to confront parts of herself once hidden by family conflict and her loss of faith. Here Saint Lucy’s statue encourages both characters — and the audience — to consider the complexity of faith, and personal truth.
The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa (Left) adds a provocative layer to the play’s visual and thematic landscape. As Sara explained, Saint Teresa’s facial expression and the angel’s poised arrow create an imagery that is both spiritual and undeniably sensual, with the flowing folds of her robe suggestive of bodily contractions. Historically, Saint Teresa’s manuscript, which describes her ecstatic experiences, has been interpreted as an unconscious, almost naive account of physical pleasure, adding a humorous undertone to her image in later years.
This statue reflects Teresa’s own internal conflict, symbolizing the complex overlap between divine ecstasy and human desire.
The development of the script is deeply rooted in Megan Medley’s personal journey with faith and identity, something she explored through the character of Teresa. Raised as a devout Catholic, Medley, like Teresa, “believed really hard” as a child. Key events in her life, such as her parents’ divorce and her father’s public gestures of affection toward her teacher, mirrored Teresa’s experiences and led Medley to confront difficult questions about trust and faith. The primary motivation behind the script came from her reflection on her complex relationship with her father. Medley recalls how she equated her father with God when she was younger. “God is a guy, that is my daddy. And so when Daddy failed, so did God,” The failings of the father figure caused her to question not only her faith in him but also her faith in God. This early loss of trust became the emotional backbone of Teresa’s character. By channeling these personal struggles into her writing, Medley crafted a narrative that examines faith as both fragile and integral to one’s identity.
The language of the script is carefully crafted to reflect its emotional depth, shifting from quick, witty exchanges to slower, reflective moments. This dynamic rhythm underscores the characters’ intense emotions and mirrors their oscillation between belief and doubt. Medley emphasizes rhythm as central to the characters’ interactions, shaping the arc of their relationship as humor and flirtation gradually give way to tension and introspection. Instead of following a traditional storyline with a single overarching climax and resolution, the play unfolds through a series of smaller, emotionally charged encounters between Teresa and Daniel. These interactions create multiple peaks and dips, like a heartbeat, each adding layers to their connection. This dynamic pacing draws the audience into a story that moves fluidly between the personal and the spiritual exploration of belief, vulnerability, and the search for truth.
“Without God as My Lover” offers a compelling exploration of faith, identity, and intimacy, pulling audiences into its heartfelt narrative. Medley’s skillful blend of humor and depth resonates throughout. For those intrigued by her unique storytelling, Medley has two upcoming productions: “Ava and Ty” at the SOOP to NUTS Short Play Festival on November 16-17 in Pelham, NY, and “Therapy Won’t Kill You” on Nov. 9 at the Riverfront Atrium Theater. These performances promise to showcase Medley’s unique blend of humor, warmth, and depth.
