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A CurtainUp Los Angeles Review
The Boychick Affair: The Bar Mitzvah of Harry Boychick
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Don't eat the nachos until I say the blessing! — Rabbi Jules
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Such a motley group of relatives, friends, and strangers gathers every Sunday at The Hayworth Theatre to carry out The Boychick Affair: The Bar Mitzvah of Harry Boychick, and what they undertake is improv at its very best—-or at least, improv at its very loudest. As is traditional at every Jewish event, nobody ever stops talking—-or shouting. Or schmoozing at the top of their lungs.
Even when the religious service begins in the makeshift synagogue, members of the extended family, seated among the strangers in the audience, continue to shout out comments to one another, upstaging both the rabbi and the Bar Mitzvah boy. Undaunted, Harry (played by poised 19-year-old Greg Mikurak) recites his portion of the Torah in a rap beat, thanks his family, and stands by patiently as his divorced parents take turns waxing eloquent about him.
So far so good, and Rabbi Jules (Janice Markham) leads the gathering to the reception hall for the traditional celebratory meal. But first, everybody dances! The hora, of course, and the macarena, but surprisingly, not the bunnyhop, which is usually mandatory at any Jewish celebration. Various members of the family sing and tell stories and are called to the small table down front to light one of Harry's birthday candles. And the noise continues, as family members engage in snatches of conversation, cross-conversations, and lots of kibitzing.
Amy Lord, who wrote and directed this interactive special event, plays Harry's mother Cheryl, who tries to control the goings-on as well as the outrageous behavior of her ex-husband Aaron (played by Barry Papick). Aaron has imprudently brought his new girlfriend, Penelope, young and Catholic, to the affair. Penelope is played by Tara Peters, and she staggers the family by presenting the Bar Mitzvah boy with a large portrait of Jesus and imploring him to accept Jesus as his savior before it's too late. "There's still time!" she pleads.
And finally, it's time to eat. Aaron, who is apparently close to bankruptcy, has failed to pay the caterer, and it looks like the meal will not be forthcoming. But family friend Tito (Carlos Luis Orrala) steps forward to save the day, providing a full Mexican meal to the entire company. Rice and beans, chicken quesadillas, salmon, vegetable tortillas, salad, and flan for dessert. Now that's what I call interactive! The food probably wasn't kosher, but it was certainly delicious. And while there was no chopped liver or gefilte fish, there was also no shrimp cocktail. A blessing on his head!
More dancing, and then, a final provocative fillip, as members of the family step forward to divulge a series of bizarre secrets and the action takes a turn for the unexpected. And one more thing that was unexpected: I actually ENJOYED this raucous Bar Mitzvah. Go figure!
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The Boychick Affair: The Bar Mitzvah of Harry Boychick By Amy Lord Directed by Amy Lord Cast: Greg Mikurak (Harry S. Boychick), Barry Papick (Aaron Boychick), Amy Lord (Cheryl Boychick), Jade Bari (Trudy Boychick), Sheri Goldner (Aunt Leenie Teitelbaum), Sheila Oaks (Grandma Betty Teitelbaum), Rebecca Silberman (Cousin Soraii Teitelbaum), Cheryl David (Aunt Rita Grossman), Joel Weiss (Uncle Sheldon Grossman), Adrian Hurrell (Cousin Bobby Grossman), Constance Reese (Cousin Nechama Grossman), Marty Dusig (Grandpa Stan Grossman), Akiva David (Uncle Brendan Grossman), Tito Sanchez (Carlos Orrala), Lisa Clumeck (Manuella Sanchez), Rachel Wagner (Mana Sanchez), Jacqueline Blumsack (Maria Sanchez), Tara Peters (Penelope Piper), Janice Markham (Rabbi Jules), Stephanie Strand (Renne Boes), Sam Crouppen (Lenny Lizzard), and Alissa-Nicole Koblentz (Lizzie Lizzard) Costume Design: Lisa Clumeck Lighting & Sound Design: Arif Kinchen, Patty Odero, Chris M. Allport Running Time: 3 hours, including reception, dancing, and meal The Hayworth, The Hayworth Theatre, 2511 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 389-9860, www.thehayworth.com From 1/27/08, running every Sunday, indefinitely; opening 1/27/08 Tickets: $36 (includes meal); senior and group discounts available Reviewed by Cynthia Citron based on 3/23/08 performance |
Easy-on-the budget super gift for yourself and your musical loving friends. Tons of gorgeous pictures.
Leonard Maltin's 2007 Movie Guide
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