Do you love your mother? Does she drive you crazy? Sarah Goldman loves her mother a lot, and she'll do almost anything to make her happy ... even if it drives the whole family crazy. "Beau Jest," the current production of Taproot Theatre Company, is a guffaw-producing comedy that tests the limits of filial obedience.
Mrs. Goldman, the quintessential Jewish mother, insists that when Sarah marries it will be to a Jewish man. Mr. Goldman agrees. Their darling Sarah will have a lovely Jewish wedding and good Jewish children.
But Sarah is in love with a Christian advertising executive. Ma and Pa believe that she ended that relationship some time ago and arrange dates for her - usually the dregs of the Jewish community dredged up by their friends. To get her parents off her back, she tells them she is dating a nice Jewish doctor. After months of waiting to meet him, they insist on coming to dinner where Sarah will introduce them to Dr. David.
In her desperation, Sarah hires a paid escort, who happens to be an actor. His job: to make believe that he's the good doctor. This is not the assignment he was expecting! But he's quick-witted, gains a few bits of family history in the minutes before the family arrives - and then the fun begins.
The stage erupts in double-entrendres, secretive hand signals, obfuscations and near-misses. The doctor/actor who is not Jewish but who once played in "Fiddler on the Roof" puts its lessons in Judaism to good use, and the parents are taken in by his performance. Sarah's brother, who is also in attendance, has more than a few doubts, but what's he to do?
It's rollicking good fun as the charade continues beyond the first dinner. And surprise, surprise, the make-believe relationship between Sarah and her hired actor becomes real. Having woven a web of lies, Sarah will sooner or later face the consequences. She does, but it all works out in the end. Perhaps a little tritely, but who cares? The wacky capers carry the play from beginning to end.
Timothy Hornor as Bob, a.k.a. Dr. David, is wonderful. His face, which he can twist into the widest array of emotions, must be made of silly putty. Charity Parenzini as Sarah is winsome, lithe and lovely. They are both thoroughly at home in their roles and thoroughly effective. Brother Joel, an analyst, played by Todd Kulczyk, has his moment to shine when he turns Sarah's living room into a consulting office and goes into his analytic mode.
Steve Manning as Mr. Goldman exudes just the right amount of paternalism and moxie. Kim Morris as Mrs. Goldman, the quintessential Jewish mother, manages to make this woman likable despite her overbearing personality. Hers is a difficult role. It could so easily have been an unflattering stereotype. Morris manages not to fall into that trap. And the bickering scenes between the husband and wife are among the most delicious moments in the play.
Much of the credit for the success goes to Karen Lund the play's director. She's working with a great script, and she plays it for all it's worth. The body language of her actors is outstanding. All of them brings additional meaning to their lines through their gestures and facial expressions. Lund's skill is also seen in the portrayal of the Seder celebration. Seder is the ritual meal that begins Passover. It's one of the most important religious ceremonies in the Jewish calendar. Under less skilled hands, the comic treatment could have been offensive.
Mark Lund's set in its spring colors of lime green, purple and yellow is just right for the season and the play.
Author James Sherman knows comedy. He was a performer at The Second City, Chicago's famed comedy house, and is a playwright-in-residence at Victory Gardens Theater, where "Beau Jest" was first staged. Victory Gardens is a Tony-Award-winning Chicago theater, and "Beau Jest" was the most successful play in the company's 27-year history. (The action is set, not surprisingly, in Chicago.)
Taproot first presented "Beau Jest" 10 years ago. It was a big hit then, and 10 years later it's still fresh and destined to be a hit again. "Beau Jest" is a light, fun-filled evening in the theater, and you don't have to be Jewish to love it.[[In-content Ad]]
