As theater audiences learned in “Fiddler on the Roof,” Jewish parents by tradition want their children to marry within the faith.
And so it goes in James Sherman’s 1989 play “Beau Jest,” which opened in an entertaining new production Saturday at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach.
The play is about Sarah, an anxious young woman living a double life. She has secretly dated a gentile named Chris for a year, while telling her religious parents she’s seeing a Jewish doctor named “David.”
When Passover arrives, her family wants to meet her beau. But instead of coming clean about her lies, Sarah hires an actor named Bob to portray “Dr. David” at the family’s Seder meal. As it turns out, Bob isn’t Jewish either, but he played one on a “Fiddler on the Roof” tour, so he’s game to act the part and make things up as he goes.
Sam Ashdown, top, Katrina Michaels, left, and Josh Cahn, right, in a scene from North Coast Repertory Theatre’s “Beau Jest.” (Aaron Rumley)
Sherman’s two-hour comedy isn’t perfect. Sarah is an excessively whiny character whose dishonesty is off-putting. The Passover Seder scene is funny but it goes on longer than it should. And you’ll see the ending coming well before intermission.
The play also feels dated. While it may be true that Jewish parents might forbid a non-Jewish son-in-law in 1905 Anatevka (“Fiddler”) or even 1980s Chicago (“Beau Jest”), it’s harder to relate to Sarah’s extended deception in today’s America.
Fortunately, the North Coast Rep production has a terrific director, Omri Schein, who keeps the momentum building and the laugh-out-loud moments frequent. And the six actors in this farcical rom-com are united in their performance style and improvisational tone.
Two actors in the cast ground the story and contribute some of the play’s funniest scenes. As Bob the actor, Sam Ashdown is charming, warm and likably down to earth, creating a character that any potential in-laws would love. And the hilarious Josh Cahn, as Sarah’s therapist brother, Joel, acts as the audience’s surrogate. He sees right through Bob’s act and his shocked expressions, raised eyebrows and comic double-takes contribute some of the most amusing moments in the show.
As Sarah, Katrina Michaels has the toughest role and she doesn’t flinch from showing her character’s weaknesses. But she ably transforms Sarah by the end. Joel Polis and Jill Remez are gruff but endearing as Sarah’s set-in-their-ways parents. And Benjamin Cole is a likable milquetoast as Sarah’s original boyfriend, Chris.
Marty Burnett designed Sarah’s well-appointed Chicago apartment, Jennifer Brawn Gittings designed costumes, Evan Eason designed sound and Matthew Novotny designed lighting.
“Beau Jest” is not only a play about family and romance. It’s also about faith, which in this play proves to be a unifying theme rather than a disrupter.
‘Beau Jest’
When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. and Sundays. Through May 24.
Where: North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach
Tickets: $53.50-$68.50
Phone: 858-481-1055
Online: northcoastrep.org