‘Bad Jews’ at the Walnut (2nd review)

Over the course of the play’s 90 minutes, however, all four characters behave just as badly as Diana.

Sparring caricatures

Liam reeks of entitlement and narcissism. He displays not the slightest trace of concern for his cousin, and he is condescending toward his brother. He holds his family’s Jewish religion in contempt (he specializes in Japanese culture, about as far as you can get from Judaism), yet he schemes to gain possession of a chai (the Hebrew word for “life”) necklace that his grandfather wore ever since his liberation from a Nazi concentration camp. Liam conspired to acquire this treasured family heirloom without consulting his brother or his cousin. Liam brings along his intended fiancée, Melody (Laura Giknis), a clueless blonde from Delaware who knows nothing of her family’s roots and doesn’t care.

The weak and cowardly Jonah, meanwhile, declines to take sides on any issue. He simply ducks the fight between Diana and Liam in order to protect himself.

For much of the play, Melody seems like the nicest person in this group: She patiently wants to hear what Daphna has to say. But Melody turns out to be selfish and self-pitying as well: She wants to marry Liam mainly to get that coveted necklace, but ultimately she rejects it upon learning that Liam’s sainted grandfather sometimes hid the necklace in his mouth. Yuck!

These sparring caricatures of people we know are so unattractive and exaggerated that we have to laugh, which is the point of this very dark but also very provocative comedy.

Echoes of Albee

The Walnut Street Theatre’s cast is superb, especially Yavorsky as Diana, who takes on the tough assignment of playing a bitch. Underneath her aggressiveness we see an attractive college girl who could make an adorable companion for some strong-willed man.

This first play by Joshua Harmon displays an intensity reminiscent of Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Some theatergoers are offended by the title of Bad Jews. It’s clear, however, that Harmon didn’t mean that all Jews are bad; he wanted to call attention to some who behave very badly.

David Stradley’s direction makes clever use of the limited area at Independence Studio 3. The upscale studio apartment set would be impressive anywhere, and especially so in this tiny space.

To read another review by Naomi Orwin, click here.

To read Carol Rocamora's review of the 2013 New York production, click here.