When I first heard the title of Joshua Harmon’s play BAD JEWS, I wondered why anyone would want to use that title, thinking it would keep audiences away. Fortunately it does not seem to be the case given the full house at the Geffen Playhouse the night I was there and the enthusiastic response at the end of the 90 minute piece which runs without an intermission.
Directed with crackling energy by Matt Shakman, BAD JEWS centers on Daphna Feygenbaum (Molly Ephraim) who attempts to persuade her cousin Jonah (Raviv Ullman) to side with her argument that since she is the most devout Jew in their family, she is entitled to inherit a treasured family heirloom and religious symbol from their late Grandfather, a Holocaust survivor. When her less observant older cousin Liam (Ari Brand) arrives after the funeral with his latest non-Jewish girlfriend Melody (Lili Fuller) and reveals he has the artifact already and has his own plans for it, a devastating and devastatingly funny battle of Old Testament proportions ignites. No doubt the play’s premise and presentation will leave you discussing its implications long afterwards.
For those of us who have ever spoken with a Holocaust survivor, certainly it is easy to understand the perilous plight endured and why any family heirloom that survived the devastation would be cherished by all surviving family members. But as the fighting for possession escalates, the question arises as to what makes a good Jew or bad Jew, and is it possible the better Jew can be the worse person?
That certainly appears to be the case with Daphna who has such contempt for everyone other than herself, it is no wonder her cousins have trouble being in the same room with her. The poor young woman is a train wreck waiting to happen, her attitude so irritating you would just like to reach out and try to knock some human compassion into her insecure self to stop her from spewing such contempt for others just to make herself feel better about her own life. Speaking almost non-stop at a breakneck pace, Ephraim is a wonder in the role, even though you most likely will not like the character she is playing.
Faring better is Fuller as Melody, the most level-headed of the four characters who treats everyone equally by making sure each gets their turn at expressing their opinions without interruption. Clearly she is stirring up the family bitterness between the cousins even though it seems not to be her intent. A lesson to be learned is never to mix into a family discussion before you have all the pertinent facts.
Brand and Ullman portray two very different brothers who compliment each other full circle. Brand’s Liam is loud, brash, and self-centered while Ullman’s Jonah sits quietly in fear of sharing an opinion his older brother will not agree with, causing even more friction between the arguing cousins. But in the end, it is Jonah was has clearly chosen the best way to honor their late grandfather, a surprise twist offered at the end of the play that will have you gasping in surprise at his choice. Clearly the quiet one has turned out to not be a bad Jew in any sense of the word.
Complimenting the production is the wonderfully realistic Scenic Design by John Arnone, Costume Design by E.B. Brooks, Lighting Design by Elizabeth Harper, and Sound Design by Jonathan Snipes. It is easy to picture yourself inside this cluttered studio apartment in New York City as the cousins attempt to work out their differences.
BAD JEWS by Joshua Harmon continues through Sunday, July 19, 2015 in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024. Dark on Mondays. Tickets currently range from $39 – $79 and can be purchased in-person, online at www.GeffenPlayhouse.com or by phone at 310.208.5454. For more information about pre-show and post-show Signature Series dates associated with the run, visit www.GeffenPlayhouse.com/BadEvents