Beau Jest, the hilarious farce playing at the Mercury Theatre, winds up its short run this weekend.
Shows are scheduled for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (May 30, 31, June 1, 2) with evening shows at 7:30 p.m. on the first three nights and a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday.
James Sherman has based his play on a silly idea: a Jewish girl (Sarah, played by Robyn Fortunat) hires what she thinks is a Jewish male escort (Bob, played by Mitchell Page) to attend a family dinner so she can quieten her parents, especially her pushy mom (Miriam, played by Jennifer Cleough), who want her to find a respectable Jewish husband.
So, what’s the problem?
First, she already has a boyfriend (Chris Cringle, played by Brandon Newell), and he’s not Jewish. Second, it turns out the escort is not Jewish either.
However, Bob the escort is handsome, charming, and quick-thinking and everybody is delighted with him. Except, of course, the real boyfriend.
Page is making his acting debut with this play and he’s very believable as the loveable Bob.
He’s also lucky to have a talented and experienced cast around him. Sarah’s dad, Abe, is played by Michael Terides, and her brother, Joel, is performed by Carson Kemppi.
They all mesh together hilariously, with Cleough a standout as Miriam, one of those roles she was born to play.
Tight direction by Jim Cleough, a real attention to the timing so necessary for this kind of comedy, and an overall dedication to keep the texture light make Beau Jest a frothy delight.
Tickets are available at Ten Old Books and First Chiropractic in Duncan or at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beau-jest-by-james-sherman-tickets-60172627950?aff=ehomecard#tickets They’re $20 for adults, and $15 for students and seniors.
You’ll kick yourself if you miss it.
