God Will Do The Rest

by Nicholas Pilapil

Welcome to Cerritos, California—where the tsinelas stack high, the gossip flows hotter than the adobo, and the de Dios family is praying their way through the chaos. "God Will Do The Rest" follows three generations of a Filipino American family wrestling with faith, identity, generational trauma—and each other—as they gather for a nine-day prayer ritual in honor of the Santo Niño.

Welcome to Cerritos, California—where the tsinelas stack high, the gossip flows hotter than the adobo, and the de Dios family is praying their way through the chaos. "God Will Do The Rest" follows three generations of a Filipino American family wrestling with faith, identity, generational trauma—and each other—as they gather for a nine-day prayer ritual in honor of the Santo Niño.

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God Will Do The Rest

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher: God Will Do The Rest by Nicholas Pilapil
    “

    Such a great play!! Loved getting to spend time with this family.

    Such a great play!! Loved getting to spend time with this family.

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: God Will Do The Rest by Nicholas Pilapil
    “

    A beautiful family dramedy whose scope is as expansive as it is intimate. Pilapil explores the complexities and sacrifices and risks of emigrating from another country for a better life for you and your descendants, inherited trauma, assimilation, pride and shame, and so much more. Each character is so specifically and delicately drawn, and their wants, needs, and fears are clear and so clearly come into conflict with everyone else's in ways that are truthful and engaging to watch. Throughout, the love of this family beneath these struggles is palpable. The humor inherent in being human is...

    A beautiful family dramedy whose scope is as expansive as it is intimate. Pilapil explores the complexities and sacrifices and risks of emigrating from another country for a better life for you and your descendants, inherited trauma, assimilation, pride and shame, and so much more. Each character is so specifically and delicately drawn, and their wants, needs, and fears are clear and so clearly come into conflict with everyone else's in ways that are truthful and engaging to watch. Throughout, the love of this family beneath these struggles is palpable. The humor inherent in being human is poignantly executed.

    read more
    ”
  • Brian James Polak: God Will Do The Rest by Nicholas Pilapil
    “

    This is an excellent multi-generational play about family and all it's wonderful complications and contradictions. I loved every single page of it.

    This is an excellent multi-generational play about family and all it's wonderful complications and contradictions. I loved every single page of it.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

  • Maggie
    Family matriarch, strong willed and feisty, rocks a fake Louis Vuitton.
    70
    Asian -- Filipino
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Ferdie
    Family Patriarch, Maggie's husband, his wife wears the pants.
    70
    Asian -- Filipino
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Connie
    Their oldest daughter, the black sheep, nicknamed Ipyon.
    40s
    Asian -- Filipino
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Fritzie
    Their youngest daughter, bougie, nicknamed Baby.
    late-30s
    Asian -- Filipino
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Tanner
    Connie's son, a bit lost, nicknamed Totoy.
    20s
    Asian -- Filipino
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Babette
    Maggie's sister, a widow, loves white wine on ice.
    60s
    Asian -- Filipino
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Nate
    Fritzie's fiancee, a doctor.
    40s
    White,
    Jewish
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man

Development History

  • Workshop, Geffen Playhouse, 2023
  • Residency, Geffen Playhouse, 2022

Production History

  • Professional, Artists at Play & Latino Theater Company, 2024

Awards

  • Playwriting Fellowship
    The Princess Grace Awards
    Semi-Finalist
    2025
  • The Helen Keller Award
    Los Angeles Progie Theater Awards
    Winner
    2025
  • Best Play
    BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Award
    Finalist
    2024
  • Best New Play
    BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Award
    Finalist
    2024
  • National Playwriting Fellowship
    Dramatists Guild Foundation
    Semi-Finalist
    2023