Review: DETC Triumphs with its Production of BAD JEWS

The Desert Ensemble Theatre (DETC), in Palm Springs, has put together a fabulous production of Joshua Harmon's off-Broadway hit, BAD JEWS. The four young actors and director Rosemary Mallett have done a superb job with the one-act comedic drama that presents the story of two brothers and their cousin arguing over a piece of religious jewelry after the death of their grandfather.

As is obvious from the title, the events take place in a Jewish family, but its story of dissension over an inheritance is universal. The insufferable, although devout, Diana Feygenbaum (Jordana Simone Pepper) desperately wants her late grandfather's chai pendant, which spells out the number eighteen, the Jewish symbol for life. The pendant is important to her because Grandpa hid it in his mouth for two years, while he struggled to survive in a Nazi concentration camp. Her cousin, Jonah Haber (Cameron Shingler), doesn't want the chai, but Jonah's brother Liam (Sean Brown), unbeknownst to Diana, already has it in his possession. Liam plans to give it to his non-Jewish girlfriend, Melody (Kyrsten Watt), to seal their engagement, just as their grandfather used it to propose to his wife after the camp's liberation and his immigration to America. Is Diana more entitled to the pendant because she plans to marry another Jew some day and pass the chai on to their Jewish child, or is Liam more entitled because he wants to keep his grandfather's memory alive by using the pendant to seal the relationship with his fiancee? If Grandpa wanted Liam to have the pendant, does that mean Liam is free to give it away? In true Talmudic fashion, the play raises question after question without providing answers, forcing theatregoers to decide for themselves who is right and who is wrong. The play throws out information bit by bit, raising the emotional stakes right up to the very end, and setting up an ending very different from what I expected - an ending that drew tears from me, and no doubt from other audience members.

The four energetic actors give enormous depth to the characters, successfully revealing the characters' flaws and positive traits. A special shout-out has to go to Ms. Pepper. She has the most difficult job, because Mr. Harmon has written Diana as a shrewish fanatic, who never shuts up and who never hesitates to criticize. Yet, Ms. Pepper, as much as the others, who play more sympathetic people, manages to make her character human. (For the sake of full disclosure, I must mention that Ms. Pepper's mother is a friend of mine). These actors are not professionals, but their performances are very professional.

I have previously complained about the Palm Springs Woman's Club as a venue, because it is a glorified auditorium rather than an actual theater. Director Mallett uses the theater's space in the most beneficial way possible, strewing blow-up mattresses around the stage to simulate a cramped studio apartment forced to do double duty as guest quarters for a funeral. She imaginatively stretches the stage by using its staircase to stand in for the apartment's hallway.

I have only one minor complaint. Diana is constantly brushing her flyaway curls, and the script mentions the ethnic hair with which Diana has been cursed. Mr. Brown's hair could easily belong to Diana's cousin, but Mr. Shingler has finely textured blond hair. I would recommend giving Jonah a wig to make his hair fit with that of his cousin and brother.

This play, like DETC's other offerings this season, is perfect for those who like to think. However, BAD JEWS is more than an intellectual exercise - it takes the audience on an emotional roller coaster that many plays attempt, but few manage to achieve. See the DETC production, if at all possible.

BAD JEWS will run through April 17, 2016, on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and on Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 each ($21.69 including service fee), plus tax. Call 760-565-2476 for tickets or more information, or consult the web site, www.detctheatre.org. (Scroll down to the bottom of the home page to find the ticket sale link).

Performances take place at the Pearl McManus Theatre, in the Palm Springs Woman's Club, 314 S. Cahuilla Road (two blocks south of Palm Canyon Blvd.), in Palm Springs, California.

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