TR Robertson – Do-not-miss North Coast Rep’s latest play, “Beau Jest”, as seeing the two hilarious dinner scenes in Act I are worth the price of admission in this delightfully funny romantic comedy about family relationships, communication, honesty and of course love. “Beau Jest” is the fifth play in NC Reps 44th Season and what a perfect play to see to just sit back and enjoy the funny trials and tribulations of a young Jewish woman dealing with mildly overbearing parents by trying to play tricks on them about who she’s dating.
The play, written by James Sherman, premiered at the Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago in 1989 and opened Off-Broadway at Lamb’s Theatre in New York City in 1991. A film version of the play appeared in 2008 starring Robyn Cohen and Lainie Kazan. Set in Chicago in the 1980’s, the play revolves around Sarah, a kindergarten teacher, still somewhat tied to her Jewish parents who she feels are pushing her to find a Jewish man to marry. Sarah has fallen for a “WASP” gentleman who works in an advertisement agency, and she has yet to break the news to her parents. She devises a plan to introduce her parents to a made-up Jewish doctor by using an escort service to send her a gentleman to play the part and have dinner with her parents. Instead, the agency sends her a gentleman who she thinks is Jewish but is actually a “WASP” actor. Sarah finds this out just prior to her parents’ arrival for dinner. Her date tells her he is an actor and can pull the role off. Hilarity follows at the Sabbath meal, and her parents love the doctor, unbeknownst to them who he actually is. Sarah finds herself also falling for the “doctor”, inviting him a second time to take part in a Passover Seder, with even funnier results. The made-up boyfriend also finds himself falling for Sarah. Along with this her original “WASP” boyfriend is becoming more and more frustrated and Sarah’s brother becomes more and more suspicious. All will come to a tense emotional confrontation involving everyone, with a little humor along the way. The play is sure to hit different life experiences with lots of people in how they have dealt with family members, romantic relationships, hiding personal secrets and experiencing uncomfortable situations.
The Cast - L-R - seated - Benjamin Cole, Josh Cahn, Katrina Michaels, Sam Ashdown, Standing - Jill Remez and Joel Polis
The six-member cast had five of them performing on the North Coast Repertory Stage for the first time. Sarah is played by Katrina Michaels. She is perfect as the overly tense, high strung young Jewish woman trying to weave her way around what she sees as overly protective Jewish parents. Playing the actor, Bob Schroeder, pretending to be a Jewish doctor is Sam Ashdown. Sam has some of the funniest scenes on stage, mostly surrounding his performance at both the Sabbath meal and Passover Seder. Sarah’s WASP boyfriend Chris Cringle is Benjamin Cole, the Director of Theatre School Education and Outreach for North Coast Repertory Theatre. Benjamin has some great facial expressions, especially when Chris decides to “fight” for his girlfriend in Act II.
Award winning actor Joel Polis plays Sarah’s father Abe. Joel has been performing professionally for over forty years. He is funny as the mildly clueless dad who argues with his wife but always gives in to her arguments. His dramatic confrontation with Sarah toward the end of the play might remind some of arguments they may have had with their fathers at some time in their life. Jill Remez plays Miriam, Sarah’s mom. Playing the strong-willed Jewish mom, she presents her as a woman who wants the best for her daughter and but perhaps Sarah has overreacted to what her mom really wants for her. The final cast member is Josh Cahn, who plays brother Joel Goldman. He presents Joel as a seemingly distant brother who has had his own problems but has figured out a way to deal with mom and dad. Joel can “sort of” see through what Sarah is trying to pull off but is mildly surprised when it comes to a surface in Act II. Josh must be full of popcorn by the end of the play as brother Joel seems to endlessly eat it while visiting Sarah.
The director of “Beau Jest” is Omri Schein, regional actor, writer and director, who was in the audience opening night with his family. The Creative Team assisting Omri was Stage Manager Christopher M. Williams, Set Designer Marty Burnett, Light Designer Matthew Novotny, Costume Designer Jennifer Brawn Gittings, Sound Designer Evan Eason, Props Designer Michael Wogulis, Hair & Wig Designer Peter Herman, Production Assistant Alyssa Hayden, and Production Assistant Clarence Lightfoot III. The living/dining room set was a wonderful design with the dining room table elevated in the center back portion of the stage allowing everyone to get a good view of the two important dinner scenes.
Yes, “Beau Jest” is primarily a romantic comedy but there are certainly significant messages everyone can relate to at the end of the play regardless of the time period, those messages are important life lessons to remember. “Beau Jest” will be on stage at the North Coast Repertory Theatre until May 24th. Tickets can be purchased at www.northcoastrep.org or call 858-481-1055. Next up for NC Rep is “The Most Happy Fella”, by Frank Loesser, a Pulitzer Prize winning musical beginning on June 3rd.
