Whether it is the biblical story of Job, war in the Middle East, the passing of a kidney stone or the trials and tribulations of a Lebanese family distantly related to Kahlil Gibran, it is not easy to write a play about human suffering.

Lebanese playwright Stephen Karam, who studied English at Brown, has attempted to do so, with a varying degree of success in his Award-winning, one-act, 90-minute “Sons of the Prophet.”

At the center of the story is Joseph Douaihy (Jed Hancock-Brainard), a twentysomething athlete whose body has failed him. His father has died in a tragic car accident caused by a young, mixed-race teenager (Nathan Goncalves). His Uncle Bill (Vince Petronio) is a bitter, sickly, politically incorrect burden. He and his brother Charles (Andrew Iacovelli) are dealing with their homosexuality.

Joseph works for an insane, clinging book publisher (Paula Faber), putting up with her outrageousness only to get his much-needed health insurance. She wants to publish a book about his family’s suffering. And that’s only the half of it.

In a play that at times struggles to find the humor and answers to “human tragedy” sits Gloria Gurney (Faber), a completely insane woman dealing with her husband’s suicide, her own alcoholism and her desire to publish the Douaihy family’s tale of woe. Faber’s performance lifts the play above its doldrums and makes it a one-woman tour de force.

Add to that Petronio’s portrayal of a bitter old man who can’t hold back his years of prejudice and religious upbringing, and you have two of the more interesting characters in modern playwriting.

The cast is strong, from Hancock-Brainerd’s pensive Joseph to smaller roles by Susan Bowen Powers and Sharon Carpentier. Director Wendy Overly has successfully woven the cast into a strong ensemble, keeping the many scenes flowing through a clever, functional set by Trevor Elliott.

The audience looks at a bare stage as the play opens in the intimate Downstage theatre, which is magically turned into a business office, doctor’s office, bus station and two-level home with an added-on bathroom that drew some big laughs.

While I didn’t walk away with a lot of answers about human suffering, I did see a play that made me think…and even made me laugh about it.

“Sons of the Prophet” is at 2nd Story Theatre’s Downstage through Nov. 24. Call 247-4200 for reservations. Tickets are a bargain at $25/$20.