God Sighs

by Jon Herbert

FULL LENGTH TRAGICOMEDY: God sucks at relationships. He doesn’t know what love is; he thinks it’s obedience, and so he trains the Man to dominate the Woman, hoping to learn what it means to love, to be love. Serpent, God’s cheeky confidante, tries to help God… That is… until she can no longer tolerate Adam's abuse of Eve! What was really going on in the Garden of Eden? God sighs is a humorous and dark...

FULL LENGTH TRAGICOMEDY: God sucks at relationships. He doesn’t know what love is; he thinks it’s obedience, and so he trains the Man to dominate the Woman, hoping to learn what it means to love, to be love. Serpent, God’s cheeky confidante, tries to help God… That is… until she can no longer tolerate Adam's abuse of Eve! What was really going on in the Garden of Eden? God sighs is a humorous and dark deconstruction of the Garden of myth--and an indictment of the Patriarchal system that it serves.

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God Sighs

Recommended by

  • Paul Braverman: God Sighs by Jon Herbert
    “

    The biblical creation story has been told many times, but seldom is it as funny as this one. Herbert has managed to imbue each of these iconic characters with a unique voice and characteristics that are quite human. The result is both hilarious and thought-provoking. This play was very well received at the Valdez Theatre Conference, and is ready for a full production. The actors and audience will have a blast!

    The biblical creation story has been told many times, but seldom is it as funny as this one. Herbert has managed to imbue each of these iconic characters with a unique voice and characteristics that are quite human. The result is both hilarious and thought-provoking. This play was very well received at the Valdez Theatre Conference, and is ready for a full production. The actors and audience will have a blast!

    ”
  • John Busser: God Sighs by Jon Herbert
    “

    06.20.25 - I saw a hilariously entertaining reading of this play at the Valdez Theatre Conference which introduced me to Jon Herbert's work. This satirical look at the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden is full of unexpected character traits (God ain't so All-knowing, The Serpent quite reasonable, etc) and charm. There are two sides to every story and this one comes with a bonus, the no-nonsense Lilith, a proto-Eve of sorts. This was a delight to hear read and would be even better staged.

    06.20.25 - I saw a hilariously entertaining reading of this play at the Valdez Theatre Conference which introduced me to Jon Herbert's work. This satirical look at the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden is full of unexpected character traits (God ain't so All-knowing, The Serpent quite reasonable, etc) and charm. There are two sides to every story and this one comes with a bonus, the no-nonsense Lilith, a proto-Eve of sorts. This was a delight to hear read and would be even better staged.

    ”
  • Franky D. Gonzalez: God Sighs by Jon Herbert
    “

    Underneath the wit, miscommunication, and all of the hilarious fumbling to do things right is a sincere investigation and attempt at understanding the creation story at the heart of Christianity. Jon Herbert has combined the story with apocrypha (the inclusion of Lilith is such a delightful surprise) and mined it for comedy gold that makes this play both engaging and serious. I was left laughing and thinking throughout the play. An excellent satire that still holds an earnestness at its core.

    Underneath the wit, miscommunication, and all of the hilarious fumbling to do things right is a sincere investigation and attempt at understanding the creation story at the heart of Christianity. Jon Herbert has combined the story with apocrypha (the inclusion of Lilith is such a delightful surprise) and mined it for comedy gold that makes this play both engaging and serious. I was left laughing and thinking throughout the play. An excellent satire that still holds an earnestness at its core.

    ”
View all 7 recommendations

Character Information

It is recommended (though not required) that Lilith and Eve be played by the same actor.
  • God
    Creator of All Things. A fickle artist with ADHD and a destructive impulse. Still trying to figure out how to manage His omnipotence. He sucks at relationships, but really wants to learn how to love, how to be love.
    30s-60s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Serpent
    Born on the fifth day of Creation. Eats apples and practices yoga in the Garden of Eden. God’s companion. She loves God deeply and sincerely. She is not a temptress or a seductress-- though she can be unintentionally alluring.
    20s-30s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Adam
    The first man and intended Master Gardener of Eden. The intended husband of Lilith, husband of Eve. Adam lacks self-awareness. Alone, he is dispassionate, maybe a little depressed. In the presence of God, he is a child. In the presence of women, he is passionate and proud and prone to anger and violence.
    20s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Lilith
    The first woman, the first wife of Adam. Self-realized, independent and fiercely defiant of Adam's attempt to control her. Can double as Eve.
    20s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Eve
    The second first woman, and second wife of Adam, intentionally created to be more submissive. She is lonely and bored, with an unconscious-almost visceral longing for the fullness of life. She has bruises on her face and arms. Can double as Lilith.
    20s
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Development History

  • Reading, Valdez Theatre Conference, 2025
  • Reading, In Process Series, Middle Tennessee State University, 2025

Awards