Jennifer Paragreen Review

Williamstown Little Theatre

Bad Jews by Joshua Harmon

Directed by Tess Maurici Ryan

Performance - Saturday 11 February 2017 (Opening week)

Reviewer – Jennifer Paragreen

Williamstown Little Theatre launched its 2017 program with Bad Jews, a scathing and riotous comedy which had its first airing Off-Broadway less than five years ago. 

Bad Jews concerns three Jewish cousins who, on the night after their grandfather’s funeral, are at loggerheads over taking possession of a family heirloom which has survived the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp. 

The fight is verbal but visceral as each, in very different ways, adamantly stakes a claim as to why he or she should inherit their grandfather’s keepsake. 

The abrasive and opinionated Daphna bases her claim on her ‘Jewishness’. She has spent time in a kibbutz and has a fiancé in Israel.  Her secular cousin, Liam, already has the heirloom in his possession and a designated purpose envisaged for it. The much quieter Jonah, who seems resolutely determined to stay out of the fray, finally reveals his hand and his bona fides for the treasure.

Joshua Harmon’s vibrant script gives each of these characters a chance to shine and cleverly introduces a fourth character, Liam’s shiksa girlfriend Melody, to provide a contrast and extra dimension to the play.

Tess Maurici Ryan has made the most of the vicissitudes and confrontations of the play’s story line with a cast physically well tailored to their roles in a beautifully paced production. The script’s humour, so effectively delivered, keeps the laugher flowing while the ferocity in the confrontations comes in waves to render the audience quite appalled but totally engrossed. 

Stage movements were interesting and varied, thanks in part to the intelligent and well balanced set design which allows actors to walk behind the bed head in front of the kitchen so that the action flow and actors can credibly distance themselves from part of the action when necessary.

Set dressing was impressive with the neat, well equipped kitchen in the background with its microwave and coffee machine etc. and the laden bookshelves to our left symbolically incorporating a menorah. The necessary temporary bedding was also strategically placed. 

We were told repeatedly that the Hudson River could be viewed from the bathroom which set my mind to wondering what sort of visual monstrosity might be lurking behind the permanently closed blind centre stage in the kitchen.

In a dazzling performance Julia Lambert is stunning as the confident and smug Daphna. Her motor mouth delivery propels the play along. The flamboyant speed of her projection, complete with impeccably clear diction and well sustained New York Jewish accent, is breath taking and the characterisation is vivid as she rides roughshod through all in her path. 

John Murphy plays the valiantly noncommittal Jonah with sensitivity and beautifully observed facial expressions. His emotional reactions are clearly portrayed and his calmness is most effective in setting up a counterpoint to the vigorous clashes between Daphna and her cousin Liam.

As Liam Charlie Collopy-White strides the stage with gestures that speak as loudly as his words. His spats with Daphna are electric and, of course, contrast markedly with his interactions with his girlfriend. I really liked his handling of the demand that Jonah intervene and call off Daphna’s derision.

Francesca Bianchi is a delight as the unfortunately named Melody. Seemingly full of sweetness and naïvety. The scene where she decides to take control and become the peacemaker was absolutely hilarious when we know she has innocently stepped into a minefield.


 

Her version of Gershwin’s ‘Summertime’ was ideally suited to the situation and one of the star turns in an already stellar production.

There are actually highlights aplenty in WLT’s staging of this uproarious black comedy with familial and religious overtones. The hair diatribe is one that springs to mind.

The production is so good because every aspect is so good. 

The required costume design might not have set much of a challenge for someone of Tony Tartaro’s prodigious talents but the chosen clothing succinctly portrayed the character’s personality. Look at the difference between Daphna’s loud check and Melody’s dress. 

Lighting, prop selection, poster design and so on are all in astute hands which make for a totally engaging production which augurs extremely well for WLT’s audience in 2017.

Congratulations to all involved in bringing this theatrical delight to the Williamstown stage.

* * * * *

Jennifer Paragreen







 

                                                 
                                                                                               Production photos by Roger Forsey

Theatrecraft Review Bad Jews

Behind the Scenes Bad Jews

John Murphy & Julia Lambert                        Charlie Collopy-White & Francesca Bianchi

When the season commenced, each night we were delighted by a new pair of Julia's shoes that could've just about cured a narcoleptic were they to be with her; vibrant and colourful to match her glowing personality. Walking through the stage-gate, you were always approached by Peta Ripper (Lighting and Sound Operator) inviting our participation in 'Seat Bingo', where we all chose a seat in the front row and prayed for a member of audience to sit in that seat first. Kerry Drumm was the subsequent winner of this game, compiling win after win after win, and not being shy to rub it only in my face. In the dressing room, there were laughs and discussions on which early-2000s songs were best due to John's searches and purchases from local Op-Shops that included many So Fresh CDs, and also an abundance of sweets that always kept our sugar levels higher than a kid on red cordial. 

To look back at the last three months feels like a lifetime ago because of how big a part of my life Bad Jews was. There were many memories, laughs and conversations that I still hold close to and will be sure to hold close to for many years to come. My only wish is to work with everyone on this team again to create something bigger and better, if that's possible. Much love and respect to my favourite theatre, Williamstown Little Theatre. I wish to be back soon.


Charlie Collopy-White

Production Coordinator wraps up Bad Jews

Auditions Vincent in Brixton