A Case for the Existence of God
New City Players in Wilton Manors
By: Aaron Krause - Feb 13, 2026
When you encounter the title A Case for the Existence of God, you might expect a theology debate to follow. But in Samuel D. Hunter’s play, the divine isn’t the focus — not literally, anyway.
The 90-minute piece, which New City Players (NCP) will present from Feb. 20-March 8, spotlights two fathers, a cubicle, and “a loan application that becomes a lifeline.”
When Ryan walks into Keith’s mortgage office in Twin Falls, Idaho, they’re essentially strangers united only by desperation. One man is fighting to keep his foster daughter, while the other is scrambling to secure his baby’s future. But as the housing market collapses and the characters’ personal lives unravel, these men from opposite worlds discover something they might not have expected to encounter: each other. The resulting friendship challenges the characters to confront their fears, their loneliness, and their desperate need for connection.
The production, which continues NCP’s 10th anniversary season, will run through March 8. Altogether, a cast of two actors under Davis’s direction will perform the piece 13 times over three weekends. In addition to performances, NCP has planned post-show events that will allow audiences to enrich their experience by connecting and further exploring the play.
“I think this play arrives at a moment when we are all hungry for authentic connection,” Davis said. “The play shows two men courageously and vulnerably opening themselves up to each other as friends. That’s not something we get to see very often on our stages.”
But NCP audiences may recall that connection is a recurring theme in the company’s work.
“At the end of the day, what is the most important thing in our lives? Our relationships with others,” Davis said. “Stable, long-term friendships and loving relationships are essential to sustained happiness and good health. We believe the theatre is a space that can foster and form these kinds of relationships, both through the work we present and how we present it. It could be as simple as someone being reminded of the dignity and worth of the humans in their lives or as deep as finding their community as an NCP ensemble member or supporter.”
Under Davis’s direction, the production stars Carbonell-nominated performers Ryan Didato and Randall Swinton. The Carbonell Awards, named after sculptor Manuel Carbonell, recognize excellence in South Florida theatrical production.
Didato and Swinton have closely connected while rehearsing for NCP’s upcoming production. In fact, Swinton called Didato “one of the best acting partners I’ve had the pleasure of working with.”
Didato also praised Swinton and said it didn’t take long for the two of them to bond. “Randall and I hit it off right away and discussed everything from politics to comic books,” he said. By contrast, their characters “require much more time to reach that level of familiarity.”
Didato said he relates to Hunter’s characters “because he writes them without judgment. There are no villains in the traditional sense, just humans doing their best and messing up along the way.” Hunter “writes characters who long to be understood but often lack the vocabulary or strength to ask for it.”
The characters in A Case for the Existence of God aren’t always the “prettiest,” but storytelling doesn’t always have to be pretty, Swinton said.
“It can be raw and real, and I love that I can feel that through Samuel’s words,” the performer added.
Didato said although he and his character share a first name, they are quite different.
“While we share a complicated childhood, he is not as well-adjusted to the realities of the world as I am,” he said. “Ryan lacks the vocabulary, both literally and figuratively, to express himself, though he is actively trying to do better. We are the same in that we both have a deep need to find stability in a world that is anything but stable on a day-to-day basis.”
Swinton said he discovered a “likeness” between his character and himself in the way both manage their emotions.
“I, much like many others, have struggled with opening up our hearts to how we truly feel at times,” he said. “Maybe because of feeling like a burden and not wanting to unload upon others when you know they have so much of their own lives and struggles to tend to, or because of wondering whether the person you are opening up to is the right one. I think anyone who watches this show can relate to what it feels like when you finally take a risk to be seen and open yourself up to one of the scariest things you can ever do — ask for help.”
When the two actors began rehearsals, they made a pledge to “dig deeper.”
“It has been amazing to make discoveries together so far, and I’m excited to see how much farther we can go,” Swinton said.
Davis said he considers it a “gift” to work with two actors he admires and who demonstrate “remarkable depth and authenticity.”
Davis directed Swinton last fall in NCP’s production of Short Plays: Lauder Made. “I was also extremely impressed with his work in Island City Stage’s production of one in two,” the director said.
While this marks Davis’s first time working with Didato, “I have admired his work in our region for several years,” the director said. “We’ve also formed a good friendship over the past couple of years, so this collaboration feels like it was a long time coming.”
While digging deep during rehearsals, both performers have immersed themselves in conversations about the play and transferred those discussions into their performances, “proving to me that we cast this thing perfectly,” Davis said. “I can’t wait to see them explore Hunter’s beautifully written characters.”
Davis said the fact that neither actor moves much during the play is both an advantage and a disadvantage.
“We get to spend our rehearsal time really diving into the text, breaking it down moment by moment, and knowing that we’ll only have to worry about chair and body positions,” Davis said. As for the drawback, the actors are “stuck for most of the play. This limits the tools we have to tell the story and forces us to find other ways (lighting, sound, posture, etc.) to create an emotionally resonant experience.”
“Personally, I love the limitation,” the director said. “It’s forcing all of us to think a little differently.”
Davis said A Case for the Existence of God should leave audiences with plenty to think about.
“I’m so excited for what conversations this play will start and what kind of connections it will inspire,” Davis said. “If you are interested in how men are struggling and what to do about it, we are partnering with NAMI Broward at all of our Sunday talkbacks to discuss men’s mental health. If you experience a thoughtful and moving theatrical experience, that is wonderful too. Ultimately, my hope is that we leave the audience with hope itself.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: New City Players’ professional production of “A Case for the Existence of God” by Samuel D. Hunter
WHEN: Feb. 20-March 8
WHERE: Island City Stage’s intimate black box space, 2304 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors
TICKETS: $40-$45 except for the “pay what you wish” preview on Friday, Feb. 20. You can buy tickets online at www.newcityplayers.org, email boxoffice@newcityplayers.org or call (954) 376-6114.
MORE INFORMATION: In addition to 13 performances spread over 3 weekends, New City Players has planned post-show events that take audiences Beyond the Stage:
Pay What You Wish Preview: Making theatre accessible with special pricing from $5-25. Friday, February 20th, 8pm.
Opening Night Reception: Enjoy libations and small bites compliments of Union Kitchen & Bar and Clearwave Dental & Aesthetics with the cast and creative team immediately following the performance. Saturday, February 21st after the 8pm show.
Weekend Wine Downs: Casual conversations and libations after Friday and Saturday night performances where patrons can discuss the play with each other and members of the creative team. February 27th, 28th, March 6th, and 7th.
Sunday Talkbacks: Interactive discussions with the cast and creative team after every Sunday performance for those wanting to explore the production process. February 22nd, March 1st, and 8th.