Costa Mesa Playhouse Presents THE BOOK OF LIZ, 2/4-27

When one of the wittiest satirists of our time and his comedienne sister write a play together, you know it can't be anything short of hilarious.  From Grammy-nominated humorist/author David Sedaris and his sister Amy Sedaris comes the crazy comedy The Book of Liz, running February 4 -  27 at the Costa Mesa Playhouse. The play is directed by Michael Dale Brown.
 
The Book of Liz is the tale of Sister Elizabeth Donderstock, who has spent her entire life in a cloistered religious community called the Squeamish, where she created and single-handedly makes Cluster Haven Farm's famous, financially lucrative cheese balls, both traditional and smoky. However, when sanctimonious new arrival Brother Brightbee convinces Cluster Haven's uptight leader, Rev. Tollhouse, to let him take over the cheese ball operation, Liz, frustrated and unappreciated, leaves the compound for the first time to try her luck in the "real" world. The first person she meets is dressed as Mr. Peanut.  Culture shock ensues, in the extreme. 
 
Director Mike Brown says "I was looking for a comedy to fill an open slot in the season's schedule, and I have read very few scripts that made me laugh out loud as much as this one. The dialogue is hilarious and, while the play's wackiness is somewhat over-the-top, I found an endearing truthfulness to the characters and their dilemmas.  It should also be noted that, although the play pokes fun at the cloistered lifestyle and might be considered irreverent, it does not criticize religion at all.  It is about people, extremely eccentric people, the kind of people I like the most."
 
Because the authors give no background for their fictional religious community, Brown has created his own history of the Squeamish as an aid to the actors and in defining the look of the play.  It deals with witch hunts, magic mushrooms, and a visitation by an ethereal being in a strange ball of orange light, somewhat resembling a cheese ball.  Of course, none of that history is actually in the play except as visual reference, but will be detailed in the program.
 
Originally written to be performed by four actors playing 15 characters, Brown has expanded the cast to six and assembled actors he has worked with before.  "I needed people with specific skills, and fortunately I knew actors who had them."
 
The Book of Liz stars Norma Jean (Elizabeth Donderstock), Ron Grigsby (Reverend Tollhouse), Ed MdBride (Brother Brightbee, Yvone, Donny, Rudy), Barbara Duncan Brown (Sister Butterworth, Sophisticated Visitor), Rene Anderson (Oxana, Cecily, Dr. Ginley, Ms. Foxley), and Jeff Bickel (Brother Hesekiah, Visil, Duncan).
 
Michael Dale Brown (director) has been directing and acting in shows at the Costa Mesa Playhouse for several years and has appeared in The Diary of Anne Frank, The Secret Garden and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.  Among the plays he has directed: Biloxi Blues, Sordid Lives, Bat Boy, the Musical, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Jake's Women, and his original sci-fi spoof Earthlings Beware, which will be reprised at Costa Mesa Playhouse next season.
 
The Book of Liz opens with a low-priced preview performance on Friday, February 4, with all seats $16.  Saturday, February 5, is a gala opening night celebration with a champagne and appetizer reception. All seats are $23. For all other performances, tickets are $18 general admission, $16 for students and seniors, and $13 per person for groups of 10 or more.  The Book of Liz plays Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, February 4 through 27.