Review: Intense BAD JEWS at The New Jewish Theatre

Playwright Joshua Harmon has created an intensely dark comedy/drama with his work BAD JEWS. It's a stunning piece that never runs out of steam, even though it maintains a high level of emotional upheaval throughout its 90 minute running time. It's certainly humorous, but it also has a serious tone that leaves audiences with plenty to ruminate on, long after the cast take their bows and the lights come up. That's good theatre in my book. It makes you think, to the point where you may even feel a bit guilty about the laughs it provides. But, that's part of its charm. You may even find yourself moved by an ending that comes about rather unexpectedly. The New Jewish Theatre is currently producing an extremely well cast and directed presentation of this recent (2012) play, and it's one I highly recommend.

The plot is centered around the tempestuous relationship between cousins Daphna and Liam, who both covet a religious relic that belonged to their late grandfather. It's a gold representation of the Hebrew word "chai", which means life, and it has a storied history. While imprisoned in a concentration camp, where any kind of jewelry or religious artifact was strictly verboten, their grandfather kept it under his tongue to avoid its discovery by the Nazis. Daphna believes she deserves it because she considers herself a "true Jew" who sticks to traditional ways, while her cousin Liam, an avowed atheist, has been deemed unworthy in her estimation. Liam's brother, Jonah, makes it clear that he does not want to get in the middle of this situation, but Daphna is headstrong and outspoken about her feelings, to a fault. The inevitable conflict that occurs as Liam arrives at the apartment he shares with Jonah is fraught with anger and tension, especially when he brings along his prospective fiancee, Melody, a gentile who seems to represent everything Daphna apparently loathes.

Em Piro is a force of nature as Daphna, choosing to go by her Hebrew name in place of Diana, which she had no problem with utilizing until her trip to Israel and her studies at Vassar. Piro is simply unstoppable in her quest to procure the relic she believes is rightfully hers. Self-righteous and bitter, she employs her zealous beliefs to attack anything or anyone who would disagree with her. She feels entitled, and she deeply resents any notion that Liam should receive the necklace. Antonio Rodriguez plays Liam with considerable passion as well, breaking down Daphna's arguments and pointed comments with intellectual analyses that nail the motivation for her behavior perfectly. Liam, of course, has his own agenda, wanting to follows his grandfather's decision to give the necklace to his fiancee during his proposal of marriage, with the promise of a ring to follow.

And, that brings us to Melody, wonderfully essayed by Taylor Steward. She becomes the immediate target of Daphna after Liam briefly leaves with his brother Jonah because he's not ready to deal with the conflict that will result when the "chai" comes up, and you know it will. That would spoil the moment and his original intention for the relic. And so, the attack begins almost immediately, and you're wondering why anyone would sit still for the embarrasment inflicted on them without spewing out their own venom in return. But, that's not who Melody is. Steward does fine work maintaining her cool, even though Daphna rips her, and her ancestry, to shreds with a diatribe about genocide. Pete Winfrey is very good as Jonah, capturing the uneasiness that has permeated his apartment since Daphna's arrival. He's had to put up with her guilt-laden rants from the get go, and your expectations are that he's ineffectual, but he's not. I can't spoil the play, but I can say that Winfrey is splendid and surprisingly affecting.

Syndie Grosberg Ronga directs with an intensity that fits this extended argument like a glove. Dunsi Dai's scenic design makes you believe there's a view of the Hudson River from the bathroom, even if there isn't. Michele Friedman Siler's costumes are very effective, especially the large VASSAR emblem that Daphna wears on her pajama bottoms. It's one of those moments when a character becomes easily defined by the clothes she chooses to wear. And, all of them are perfectly delineated. Kyra Bishop's props act to define the space and the people within it, and Kimberly Klearman provides a precise lighting scheme.

BAD JEWS is a must see! It's confrontational and touching at the same time. The New Jewish Theatre's effectively uncomfortable production continues through December 20, 2015.

Photo Credit: Eric Woolsey

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