By Jessica Davis, JTNews Correspondent
The debut of Seattle Jewish Theatre at the Stroum Jewish Community Center comes April 3. That evening, the new company will feature Beau Jest, a popular play that focuses on interfaith marriage.
The theatre company chose Beau Jest, a comedy written in 1989 by Jewish playwright James Sherman of Chicago, Ill,.as its first play because “I fell in love with it instantly,” said director Jon Mitten “It keeps those uncomfortable issues comfortable.”
The play has been translated into 23 different languages.
Beau Jest centers on a warm and welcoming traditional Jewish family, but set in its ways. The parents object to their daughter marrying a non-Jew, but it gives a younger generation’s viewpoint on race relations.
“The play exemplifies, in a comic sense, the pressures of cross-cultural marriage and the generational divide between traditional parents and modern youth,” said Mitten.“It’s the perfect first play for the season or for the company — period.”
The underlying theme of Beau Jest is “you can’t be closed-minded to different possibilities,” Mitten said.
Beau Jest is a farce that goes to the extremes, commented Seattle Jewish Theatre’s artistic director Adam Herzig.
Originally from San Diego, Calif., Herzig moved to Seattle in 1995. In 1999, he graduated from Cornish College of the Arts with an emphasis in playwriting and directing. His goal for the new non-union theater company is to produce plays that explore themes relevant to the Jewish community.
As for the rest of the Seattle Jewish Theatre’s season, Herzig is leaving it open until Beau Jest is over.
“Success is determined by community support. Time will tell whether the community wants to support it or not,” said Herzig. “I feel that there’s been a loss of arts and culture within the Jewish community and I’d like to see that revived.”
Mitten agrees. “I feel like it’s a great cause. I love theater,” he says. “It’s integral to the cultural survival of the Jewish community.”
Formerly from a neighboring town of Skokie, Ill. where the play is set, Mitten could instantly identify with Beau Jest.
“They’re talking about the street I rode my bike on and my mother went to high school there,” he said.
Mitten said he could also relate the play to his own family. His father was raised Christian. His mother was raised Jewish. As a child, Mitten celebrated both Christmas and Hanukkah. His mother’s parents were critical of the mixed marriage and there was an underlying tension of “If only his mom married Jewish.”
Growing up, Mitten studied theater, enjoying its cross-culturalism and wanting to further explore race relations. In 1995, he moved from San Diego, Calif. to Seattle where he graduated from Cornish College of the Arts in 2000. Mitten currently teaches art and drama for preschoolers at the Seattle JCC in the Northend.
In directing the play, Mitten will draw on the experience of the mixed cast of Jews and non-Jews. “We all have the same vision,” said Mitten. “The cast and crew are really great.”
“I’m pretty confident that it’s going to be a good show,” said Herzig.
Performances of Beau Jest take place at the Stroum Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island on April 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13. Babysitting will be available for all performances. The JCC’s Mercer Island facility is located at 3801 E. Mercer Way, Mercer Island. Tickets are $12 for seniors and children and $15 for adults. Call 206.232.7115, ext. 267.
Also, on April 5, the JCC will host a gala Performing and Fine Arts Opening. The evening will begin at 7 p.m. with an art show featuring Israel-oriented art by Bob Sorkin and Anat Ollestad to take place in the Polack Gallery. Following the art show, the Seattle Jewish Theatre will present Beau Jest at 8 p.m. in the JCC’s Benaroya Auditorium. A post-show reception with the actors/artists will take place after the performance. Wine and cheese will be served. Tickets will be $20 per adult.
“We have wanted to bring more extensive arts programming to the community for a long time,” said Herzig. “It’s really exciting to see this vision come to fruition. Definitely not an evening to be missed.”