Neil Simon s newest play gives us a comic,

contemporary slant on the Biblical story of

Job.

At midnight the burglar alarm pierces the calm

of a luxurious Long Island mansion. The head

of the household, Joe Benjamin, bravely ap-

proaches the French door to investigate. But

far from a criminal, the intruder turns out to be

a zany movie buff from Queens. This talkative

fellow--who wears a sweatshirt emblazoned

with a "G"--reveals that he is a messenger for

God. ("Important documents only; no pack-

ages.") He treats us to some celestial gossip

--for instance, the Devil looks like Robert

Redford--then relates his mission to the

wealthy manufacturer. Joe, a deeply religious

man, has been chosen by God to be tested to

see whether he can retain his faith.

What follows for the Beniamins is a series of

calamities ranging from a devastating fire to

tennis elbow--but as the aggravations are

compounded, so are the laughs. There is hilar-

ity with an underlying pathos as "God s favor-

ite" tries to bear up stoically under his trials.