Photo by Enci Box.
“Bad Jews” written by Joshua Harmon is a savage and ferociously hysterically funny play about family, faith, legacy and a “Chai” (a gold ornament of the Hebrew word which means living), now playing at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles.
Self proclaimmed Super Jew, Daphna Feygenbaum (Jeanette Deutsch) wants her late grandfather’s Chai. Her cousin Liam (Noah James) who definitely doesn’t share Daphna’s religious zest, has other ideas for the family heirloom. To Daphna’s horror, he wants to give it to his “shiksa” (non-jewish) girlfriend, Melody (Lila Hood) as an engagement present.
In the middle of this family drama is Liam’s brother, Jonah (Austin Rogers) who really doesn’t say much about anything. He just wants peace.
What transforms next is a passionate—at times vicious—over the top funny exchange between all four characters which takes on themes of loyalty, betrayal, honoring traditions, and what defines a good Jew and a bad one.
I saw this play with my friend who isn’t Jewish, but she laughed just as loud as I did. “Bad Jews”, directed brilliantly by Dana Resnick, is a theatre experience for anyone that has a family or simply just wants to have a great time watching some excellent performers take on thought-provoking issues with wonderful caustic humor.
“Bad Jews” now plays at the Odyssey Theatre, located at 2055 South Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, through June 17, 2018. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with matinees at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Additional performances at 8 p.m. May 9, May 17, May 30, and June 14, 2018.
Tickets are $30-$32. To purchase, go to the OdysseyTheatre.com or call 310-477-2055 ext. 2.
