There's a reason why Joshua Harmon's play "Bad Jews", currently playing at Seattle Public Theater, has been such a hit all over the country. Because it manages a trifecta with its wonderful script as it takes a sensitive subject of religion and infuses it with rich characters, hilarious language and heart. And the cast and crew over at Seattle Public Theater have grabbed onto this with both hands to make this a fantastically vicious and funny show.
Harmon takes on the issue of what it is to have true faith in your religion as three Jewish cousins, Daphna, Jonah and Liam (Anna Kasabyan, Ben Phillips and Ian Bond) gather for their Grandfather's funeral. Tensions are already high with the situation and the fact that the cousins couldn't be more different. Daphna is more militant and staunch with her faith while Jonah just rolls with whatever comes along. And Liam with his new shiksa girlfriend Melody (Molli Corcoran) takes on his faith when it's convenient. Both Liam and Daphna want a family heirloom of their Grandfather's and each feel they are the more entitled to it and so things come to a head as their argument becomes more and more vicious.
As I said, Harmon's script is a gorgeous tapestry of hilarious language filled with tons of vitriol. And director Shana Bestock has taken this script and paced it perfectly with her wonderful cast so the 90 minute show simply flies by. The hilarity of this show is based largely on the timing and Bestock has timed things perfectly.
Phillips and Bond are incredible as two very different brothers. Phillips with his quiet, unobtrusive ways perfectly counterparts Bond with his brash and swaggering confidence. And both take on the roles with a rich subtlety so as never to take them over the top. Corcoran is adorable as the outsider thrust into this group and sweetly plays the perfect straight man to the chaos around her. But it's Kasabyan who blew the audience away. Her stream of consciousness, venomous rants were a thing a beauty. Too often in these kinds of rants the actor forgets that the character is just thinking up this speech and so they come off as over rehearsed but Kasabyan manages to keep them grounded in reality and the moments and yet still highly thought out and hilarious. And she portrays Daphna as such a force of nature that you can't take your eyes off her.
With its interesting perspectives into faith and hilarious language and performances "Bad Jews" is an all around winner of a show and a great time and so I give it a belly laugh of a YAY with my three letter rating system. If you want to laugh, then do not miss this gem of a show.
"Bad Jews" performs at Seattle Public Theater through October 25th. For tickets or information contact the Seattle Public Theater box office at 206-524-1300 or visit them online at www.seattlepublictheater.org.
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