God’s Favorite first premiered on December 11, 1974 at the Eugene O’Neil Theatre in New York City. Compared to Neil Simon’s blockbuster hits, God’s Favorite had modest success, running for 119 performances. The play deals with one man’s struggle to keep faith in God amidst severe trials and tribulations. Simon has stated that he wrote the play "as a reaction to his wife's untimely death from cancer". The comedy is loosely based on the Book of Job; Joe Benjamin is also tested by God by ultimately being attacked by Satan; his “plagues” are numerous incidents of bad luck and ill health.
God's Favorite guide sections
