Review: ‘Other Paths to God’ at Horizon oscillates between silliness and poignancy

At what point do we earn the right to rest? In Other Paths to God, running through November 8 at Horizon Theatre, Atlanta-based writer Kelundra Smith takes aim at this question, interrogating what happens when our labor is not valued.

Other Paths to God tells the story of the nursing staff at Morey Medical, a fictional Atlanta hospital. The show opens a few weeks after the shocking suicide of Sharhonda, a nurse of over 20 years who shot herself in the hospital parking lot. When fellow nurses introduce a petition to try to have the nurses’ lounge named in Sharhonda’s honor, they learn that an internal investigation has revealed some missing money that might implicate not only Sharhonda but the entire nursing staff. This prompts the characters to attempt to solve the mystery of this missing money to protect their own jobs and clear Sharhonda’s name.

Right away, there is a level of tonal contrast here. The play is marketed as “Scandal meets The Pitt,” and the soap opera nature of the plot lives up to that statement. Yet, there is a grounded undercurrent of commentary on capitalism, labor and the exploitation and scapegoating of Black workers.

The play is at its strongest when leaning into the latter, especially in moments like charge nurse Renee (Tonia M. Jackson) breaking down over how the societal mandate to keep working prevents her from even being able to properly grieve her friend. Drawing on interviews with real life Atlanta nurses, Smith crafts realistic characters who are exhausted and exasperated with a career that refuses to value their contributions.

The mystery itself is also engaging, and there are enough twists and turns to make the audience genuinely invested in the ending. Still, the interplay between the characters is the play’s greatest strength.

The play’s weakness is its struggle to reconcile the more serious themes with its sillier sensibilities. There are some funny lines, but Smith falls into the common trap of having Gen Z characters use Twitter-speak like “high key” and “messy boots” even in tense moments, which often comes off as forced. She’s also a bit heavy handed with the exposition, which, combined with stiff directing by Alexis Kulani Woodard, can make the pacing sluggish at times.

The characters shine in spite of these flaws, aided by performances like Jackson’s, who perfectly captures Renee’s weary resilience. Arizsia Staton strikes a solid balance between antagonistic and sympathetic as Amy, a hospital administrator doing her best to protect the nurses while also trying to appease the hospital executives. Trevor Rayshay Perry is brassy and charismatic as Rel, a flamboyant yet vulnerable nurse hoping to adopt a baby with their partner. Kenedi Deal plays Kai, the youngest and most inexperienced of the team, grappling with mountains of debt and a lack of respect from her senior colleagues. Amer-Marie Woods gives the broadest performance as the hotheaded Coleen and is saddled with the most exposition, but she has some great moments of comedic relief. 

Cheryl Booker has the least stage time as Mrs. Shorter, a retired nurse whom Rel and Kai are nursing through cancer treatments, but she brings enough wisdom and warmth to makes her scenes stand out.

The play has a distinct Atlanta flair in its design. Sound designer Jeremiah Davison covers many of the transitions with news reports and podcast snippets of various local events, augmenting Mary Parker’s atmospheric lighting. These elements help to create a sense of place, making Morey Medical feel as real as Grady or Northside.

At times, Other Paths to God feels a bit like watching two plays at once: One, a zany medical drama spoofing shows like Grey’s Anatomy and The Pitt, and the other, a hard-hitting examination of how capitalism conditions us to equate labor with value. The two halves never quite cohere into a whole, but Smith manages to make both of them enjoyable enough that neither feels compromised. Whether charmed by the characters, drawn in by the mystery or moved by the message, audiences will be able to find something to enjoy.

Where and When 

The world premiere of Kelundra Smith’s Other Paths to God is at Horizon Theatre through November 8. Tickets start at $40.
1083 Austin Ave.

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Luke Evans is an Atlanta-based writer, critic and dramaturg. He covers theater for ArtsATL and Broadway World Atlanta and has worked with theaters such as the Alliance, Actor’s Express, Out Front Theatre and Woodstock Arts. He’s a graduate of Oglethorpe University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree, and the University of Houston, where he earned his master’s.