Carly
So, Bad Jews,
y'all!
KRL
Yes!
Jill
KRL
Initial
reaction - I really liked it. Great cast, good set, and I thought a really good
script. And yes - bloodthirsty!
Jill
Agreed.
Compelling, hilarious, well-acted, and tons of food for thought.
Jules
I don't know
why, but I was thinking that it was going to be more of a comedy. Not that it
wasn't funny, but more in a "Oh no, they didn't" kind of way.
KRL
What do you
think Jewish theater is all Mel Brooks? Dang, Jules. ;) j/k
Jules
I think I had
conflated Bad Jews in my head with the endless run of "wacky comedies with
Jews" that I see advertised in NY. Old Jews Telling Jokes, etc.
KRL
Julie - I do
agree that with a title like Bad Jews you assume it is comedy?
Carly
So, the setting
is a studio apartment on Manhattan's Upper West Side, and the play involves
three cousins (Daphna, Jonah and Liam) fighting over their just-passed
grandfather's Chai, a necklace with great religious and emotional significance
to the family.
Jill
OK, let's get
into it. Who did you side with in the
big argument? Did you want Daphna (Miriam Schwartz) or Liam (Michael Hanna) to get Poppy's Chai?
KRL
For most of it
- Daphna. Liam came across as a total dick who honestly didn't care for the
deeper connection she had to the chai. (And I wish the program had given some
glossary for those of us who are non-Hebrew/Yiddish speakers.)
Jules
I wanted to
know what the Chai was earlier too.
Jill
I found myself
taking both sides in various points of the argument. They both make valid
points and it's not an easy thing, the balance between the old ways and the new
(tradition!). Also, they're both jerks and say horribly offensive things! I was kind of hoping sweet Jonah (Michael Torsch) would get
it.
KRL
At the end of
the show though... Daphna came across as being as much of a user as Liam. That makes me
rethink my view of the whole show.
Jules
I feel like the
playwright did a good job of preparing us to side with Daphna and then by the
time we finally met Liam, we were prepared to dislike him.
KRL
I agree.
Jill
Part of the
reason why Daphna and Liam don't get along is that they're too much alike. They're
both passionate, self-righteous, unable to listen to the other side. They even
use the same language to describe each other, "above it all."
KRL
And Michael
Hanna kicked butt as Liam. So angry and such a jerk. Wow.
Carly
Frankly, I was
like, "Get it ON already Daphna and Liam." Just me?
Jill
They're
cousins, gross!
Jules
And yes, then
the tables turn and you see Liam's side, and you see the pettiness in Daphna.
KRL
Carol - I felt
some of that even with Daphna and Jonah... except he is gay.
Jill
Jonah's gay? I
missed that.
KRL
That is how I
read him. Nothing was said but...
Carly
Yeah, but am I
right? They were practically all over each other! And to my mind, I didn't see
a realistic relationship between Liam and his gf, Melody (Adelin Phelps).
Jill
Melody is everything
Daphna (and his family?) is not. Uncomplicated.
Carly
TOO
uncomplicated?
KRL
Carol - you are
always right. :) And I agree - Liam and Melody are not a great
match. She seems like a choice made just to piss off Daphna and/or the family.
Jules
I wasn't
getting that chemistry, but I thought there was way more to the backstory
between all three of them than what we were told. I expected a revelation of
something between them before the play ended. Like maybe they had had a more
intense relationship before.
Carly
I thought Jonah
and Daphna had a really realistic cousin relationship.
 |
| Miriam Schwartz, Michael Torsch, Adelin Phelps, and Michael Hanna (photo by Sarah Whiting) |
And can I just
say - these are four really talented young actors who were totally in it for
the 90 minutes of the play, especially Michael Hanna and Miriam Schwartz with
their long fast passionate infuriating monologues. And I kind of wanted to see
them hug at the curtain call just to make sure they're OK!
Carly
AGREED,
Jill! Great job by all performers.
Jules
I totally
wanted to see them all hug at the end, too, Jill!
Carly
I think they
should make out at the curtain call.
Jules
Okay, that
might be a bit much, C!
Carly
Sorry.
Carly
And I don't
think anyone should get the Chai. Jonah is SO passive that someone would
immediately push him down and take it.
KRL
Julie - I agree
about the backstory. But I like that Joshua Harmon (playwright) and Hayley Finn
(director) allowed US to fill in the backstory.
Jill
It's definitely
one of those plays that gives you the feeling these lives were happening before
the play begins, and continue after the play ends. I like that.
Jules
Good point
Jill, their story doesn't end and you can see them continuing this struggle.
KRL
Miriam Schwartz
was amazing!! The energy and passion and all the different levels of it.
Michael Hanna was good though I felt he played "Anger" too much and
didn't find as many levels to that frustration/anger as Miriam did.
Carly
I was just
going to say that, Keith! Agreed!!!
Jill
And they both
have beautiful hair. :)
KRL
Ha ha ha - so
jealous!
Carly
I thought
Michael Torsch as Jonah was very watchable in a fairly minor part.
KRL
Michael Torsch
has such amazing reactions! It was fascinating to watch him watch the
action... so much happening with that face and body language of his.
Jill
Jonah's reveal
of his own tribute to Poppy at the end (no spoilers here!) brought tears to my
eyes! Michael Torsch founds lots of layers in silence.
KRL
YES!
Carly
Very well done.
Any other
elements that stand out for y'all? Any objections to the language or speeches?
Jules
Jonah was
really interesting, and I definitely wanted to know more about him. I felt like
we saw that there was much more going on with him (which there was). And his
role between his cousin and his brother was very realistic. Someone's always in
the middle of those things.
Jill
No objections
but some of the things these cousins said to each other literally made my jaw
drop. They reeeaaaaaally didn't like each other, and y'all are right, maybe
there was more to that.
Carly
Singing,
"Let's get it on ..."
Jill
I totally felt
for Jonah because I'm like him, the peacemaker, not wanting to get involved in
the argument, just wanting everyone to get along!
KRL
I was surprised
at some of the language. Then again, I came from the assumption that Jewish
Theater would tend to be more "clean" as Christian theater is clean -
meaning no swearing, etc. So my surprise was more about where I was coming from
as an audience member.
Jill
I think it's
less religious Jewish theater and more cultural Jewish theater. Judaism is
unique in that it's as much of a culture as it is religious belief.
KRL
Jill - I'm not sure
Jonah wanted everyone to get along, he just didn't want to be a part of it. I
think there is a difference there? Then again, at the end with his tribute -
maybe he also wanted the Chai but knew that between the two other headstrong
character he had no chance and gave up?
Jules
There was some
deep-seated resentment that went way beyond fighting an inheritance. Even
before the subject came up, Daphna and Liam were at each other's throats from
the moment the apartment door opened.
KRL
Jill - totally
agree with your comment about culture vs religion.
Jules
Keith, I felt
like Jonah was just doing his own thing. Going along with what the others said
as much as he could. Especially since he knew all the while that he'd already
made his connection with Poppy.
Jill
They obviously
disagree on what it means to be Jewish, and perhaps part of the resentment of
each other is the fear that their way isn't so righteous as they think. Like
they have to put the other person down to prove their belief is the only way.
KRL
Julie - good
point. He clearly had already made peace with the fact that he wouldn't get
anything. Jill - yes!
Carly
Absolutely, I
was going to say this earlier, that there's such a spectrum of Jewish identity
in this play, from the cultural Jew to the strict observant and then Jonah
somewhere in the middle.
Jill
And that's the
crux of the play - how do we hold on to our history and tradition, while still
embracing the multi-cultural global world we live in?
Carly
And in some
ways, are they all "bad Jews"?
Jules
Keith, I don't
think Jonah wanted anything. He had exactly what he needed to remember Poppy in
the way he felt best. Instead of focusing on a physical object (which is much
easier to start a fight over), he just did what he felt was right. And did
Jonah even talk about being Jewish?
Carly
Not really.
Jill
I don't think
any of them are "bad Jews," they're just people trying to live their
lives by their beliefs. And perhaps being a bit too judgy about people who
don't share their beliefs.
Jonah didn't
get much of a chance to talk at all!
KRL
Hha ha ha - so
true about Jonah
Jules
I think it was
interesting that Daphna felt she had the greater claim due to her overt
commitment to being Jewish. But the reason that Liam wanted the Chai was also
respectful of the family history and of the importance, but not attaching the
religious significance.
KRL
I think Daphna
and Liam were just spiteful all the way through and that there would be a way
for everyone to get what they wanted IF they weren't so focused on their own
needs.
Jill
Right, they
needed an impartial moderator. And if I
were Melody, I would have accepted the proposal but not the Chai. The symbolism
of the offer is enough, accepting it is not worth the trouble it caused in this
family that she wants to be accepted into!
Jules
I also think
that Daphna feels that the way to be Jewish is to BE JEWISH. And I'm guessing
that pridefulness and spite are not valued in Judaism any more than they are in
any other belief system.
Carly
I hated the
idea of Melody having the Chai. Being a bitter spinster librarian, I think the
family might as well kiss the Chai goodbye if it goes to Melody. You think Liam
is in anything for the long haul? Oh, hell no.
KRL
Jill - I agree.
Or accept it until the wedding ring then pass it along to Daphna
Carol - yes!
you KNOW a divorce is going to happen with those two.
Jules
Jill - YES! I
wanted Melody to refuse the Chai too. It had such great religious, family, and
cultural significance to both Daphna and Liam, but it literally meant nothing
more to her than a piece of jewelry.
Carly
I feel like
Jonah was that moderator for a long time and had given up.
Jill
Daphna
definitely has a point that we have to pass on our history and traditions to
our children, because if we don't, they'll be gone forever. But Liam also has a
point that you love who you love, and if you marry someone from a different
tradition and pass on both traditions to your children, it's going to get
diluted. It's "melting pot"
vs. retaining unique cultures.
Carly
I found the
Daphna's speech about dilution of Judaism through marriage and children to be
most affecting.
KRL
I found most of
the speeches were so interesting and well written. Truly made points without
being like a monologue...if that makes sense? Or sounding like a speech.
Carly
I wish I
believed the relationship and chemistry between Liam and Melody more--that
would have helped the whole play for me.
Jill
Definitely.
When my ancestors came to this country it was all about assimilation and
"melting pot," so I have very few cultural traditions. But it seems
in recent years we've realized that it's important to hold on to the language
and traditions of our "homeland."
KRL
I'm glad they
didn't try to do any New York accent in the production. I think that would have
distanced the characters from the audience.
Jules
Jill - that's a
great encapsulation of their argument. But the vehemence and anger went far
beyond what made sense in the situation. But I think another reason that they
are NOT Bad Jews is that they are still family. In spite of what appear to be
unsurmountable differences, they are still in the same place for the same
reason. Although Liam could have made more of an effort to be there. I don't
think skiing and proposing are a good reason to be out of touch.
Carly
"Nothing
is more important than family. Nothing." - Grandma Sophie, Brooklyn Bridge
Jill
Agreed about no
NY accents, unless done well and naturally it's just distracting. It would be
interesting to meet these kids' parents.
Jules
Keith, I like
what you said about the monologues. They didn't feel like monologues, they felt
natural to the characters, and like just the way they talked.
Carly
And yet
I just feel—
Jill
The language
was very natural.
Carly
I mean—
KRL
Even if it is
done well, a story like this can play out anywhere. I think if they used
accents they audience could relax and feel like "oh, this only happens in
NYC" sort of attitude?
Jill
Yes - that!
Carly
I feel like
sometimes, I can SEE THE DIALOGUE on the page, with the hyphens as they start
and stop a sentence.
KRL
Ha ha ha ha -
is that a good thing?
Carly
Keith, no. I'd
call it MOSTLY natural.
Jules
Carol, I didn't
feel that so much. I know exactly what you mean, but I didn't feel it.
Carly
I think there's
definitely a stylized aspect to the dialogue. It gets better, but that kind of
dialogue is tough to do naturally.
Jules
That's another
reason not to do accents, because it's already stylized and adding another
layer would complicate it, I think.
Carly
Abso.
KRL
It is tough to
do but it felt true. More true than some Mamet or Pinter or other modern
playwrights.
Jill
Was this all of
yours first time at MJTC? What did you
think of the space and the work?
KRL
It was our
first.
Carly
Very intimate,
liked the space.
KRL
The space
worked really well for this show. I'm really curious how it works with other
scripts.
Carly
Good
sightlines, for instance, I could see clearly the man in front of me who had
taken his shoes off and was touching his feet.
KRL
Yeah... not
great audience behavior.
Jules
I think it was
my first. I was surprised what they could do with that space. I auditioned
there once. I did a Shakespeare monologue. It wasn't pretty. :)
Carly
Keith, I
wondered too. How do bigger shows there work? Julie, was it "to be or not
to be"? Again??
Jill
I like the
space. It's intimate, with great sightlines and the sound carries well.
What do you
mean by bigger, bigger cast? Most of the
shows I've seen are smaller cast/shows.
Carly
I mean,
musicals, shows that take up more space.
Jules
Eh on the
sightlines. If you were behind a big head (you know who you are) it was tricky
when people were not standing up. But it's probably better if you're further
up.
KRL
Hey!! I was
sitting in front of you! :)
Jill
They did The Last Five Years unmiked and it was lovely!
Jules
I think their
shows are mostly small, aren't they?
KRL
Jill - I would
have loved to see that production there. Wow!
Carly
Could they do
Leap of Faith there? I mean, they probably wouldn't ...
Jules
Could Jonas
Nightingale be Jewish? Discuss.
Carly
Ha!
Jill
I think the
only musical I've seen there is Last Five Years.
KRL
Looking at the
website - all of their shows this season are six actors and under.
Carly
I was sort of
peering around the set to see what the stage looked like.
Final thoughts?
Direction? Lighting? Set design?
Jules
They must have
an exit behind the set there, but not much backstage space, I'd guess. I
thought the set was quite realistic for such a small space. But perfect for a
New York studio apartment!
Carly
For SURE.
KRL
Direction and
lighting were great! Nothing distracting (except for the one late light cue). [lighting design by Paul Epton]
Jill
Great set and
very realistic, and I suspect it was recycled from Tale of the Allergist's Wife.
KRL
It was a bit
awkward having the two guys and the playing space by the door so close to the
stairs and audience.
And I don't
think it was used consistently - the space I mean. The boys head down the
hallway to the parents apt, and I believe that is how Liam and Melody
enter... yet when they left they left going around back of the set.
Jill
Oh, and I loved
when they were casually passing around the M&Ms as they were arguing! That's family!
Carly
Great touch!
Jules
Agreed. I liked
that they were actually eating the food. Like people.
Jill
I was a little
jealous of Miriam's PJs and wishing I were in mine! [costume design by Liz Josheff Busa]
Carly
I seldom can see
a show with a bed in it when I don't want to crawl up and take a nap. on the
twin, of course!
Jill
Keith - agreed
about the awkward hallway scenes.
KRL
The eating was
perfect and a great choice.
Jill
I am obsessed
with people eating (and especially cooking and then eating) on stage.
Carly
Frankie and Johnny, am I right, Jill?
Jill
Yes! I only
wish they had shared the omelet with the audience.
Jules
But it kind of
bugged me that there were only two glasses in the cupboards. Until I thought
about keeping an extra apartment for guests, and why would you overly furnish
it. Carol, it was kind of like our London flat. Two cups, two plates, two
forks...
KRL
So - sightlines
were a bit tough because when Daphna reached into the cupboard for a glass, I
could see that it was empty. So... it can be a bit tricky. I have a feeling the
fridge was empty as well but no one could see it.
Jill
I think we're
all hungry and tired, shall we wrap this up?
Carly
Yes, for sure,
Jill. The sun, has gone, to bed and so
must you?
Jill
Hey, I got that
reference!
Carly
NERD!
KRL
End comment: It
kept me involved, I was amused and it gave food for thought. Great cast, good
solid direction (especially with all those speeches... never static), and I look
forward to seeing more work there.
Jill
Do we all agree
that Bad Jews is definitely worth seeing - well done, thought-provoking, and
with things you can relate to no matter what your cultural background?
Carly
For shiz.
KRL
Jill - yes!
Jill
This was my
10th MJTC show and I've never been disappointed, so I hope y'all see more of
them!
Carly
WE WILL!
Jules
Wow, Jill,
that's a lot of shows. I feel like I read about them but never go. Definitely
working on that!
Carly
Yeah, we just
don't see enough theater.
Jill
You Minnesota Theater
Lovers are such slouches.
Thanks to Minnesota Theater Love for letting me join your group. I mostly go the theater by myself and I enjoy it, but it's fun to go with friends too and have a great discussion afterwards. And special thanks to Carly for editing our conversation. Check out more of Minnesota Theater Love's theater thoughts here.
