The Book of Liz: Feeling Squeamish?
by Sarah Teach
Cheese ball, anyone? Whether you prefer traditional or smoky, you’re invited to Centre Stage as Theatre Workshop of Nantucket serves up a full plate of ludicrous hilarity. Though The Book of Liz, a production that leans toward the scatological, premiered Off-Broadway a full decade ago, the story’s humor as is fresh as the homemade cheese balls it surrounds. Written by brother-sister duo Amy and David Sedaris (better known as The Talent Family), this play makes me wish I could have been a fly on the witty wall of the Sedaris home in the 70s. The siblings have expertly concocted their own secret recipe for an off-the-wall lampoon, unabashedly poking fun in the least politically correct fashions. Often, the humor is self-depreciating, such as the gay jokes written by the out and proud David Sedaris. Thus, The Book of Liz, like most good theatre, is perfect for people who don’t take themselves too seriously.
As a native of the Pennsylvania boondocks, I shall now impress my fully inked stamp of approval upon Scenic Drops Artist David Lazarus, who made me feel right at home in the antiquated Amish kitchen he cooked up. Even though the script and acting do upstage it, the stage performs its duty peerlessly by plopping the audience plumb in the core of cow country. Do note, however, that this particular order of orthodox conservatives does not call itself Amish, but “Squeamish.” However, the entire play is just the opposite of that term: it is comic concocted deep within the realm of absurdity, but sprinkled generously with real-life application. Much like the fake beards worn by the Squeamish men, the physical comedy (that only great actors can sew in so well) proves to be way over the top. Still, the beards remain slightly rumpled so as to subtly make you believe they’re meant to seem real. You get lost in this salty, sweaty sea of sarcasm, not always knowing immediately which comments are meant to yank you under and which are just swells of the storyline.
Lynne Bolton takes on the tricky role of directing a production with a cast of just four actors who play 15 characters. The Sedarises designed the play to be performed this way, though not all theaters are able to pull it off. Fortunately for us, TWN gives us the full effect of The Book of Liz; and Bolton’s discerning directing has paid off. The actors are flawless in their cartoon-like tributes to all 15 of the play’s diverse personalities! From Eric Schultz to Amy Stiller to Bobby Pavia to Ellie Cornell, the cast appears easygoing in their ability to let us experience every identity intended. You can thank John Shea and Gabrielle Gould for their keen casting. Lighting Designer Sandra Galley pulls some fast and funny ones on us, functioning seamlessly with the positioning of the set and cast.
A satirical saga of true life, The Book of Liz offers parables that are offbeat but on-point and unexpectedly leave you thinking existentially. Outwardly, all the characters are exceedingly different from you and me. (Well, I won’t speak for you, but professionally dressing as a peanut has not yet crossed my resume.) At any rate, as you meet character after character, peanut or other, you begin to realize that you actually know these folks. You cringe at the thought of your real-life equivalent of the judgmental Reverend Tollhouse. You banter inwardly over the person in your life that reminds you of the grating but good-hearted Ms. Foxley, who has 12 Dobermans to support. (Accepting her is one thing, but hiring her? This one ain’t easy.) And when you meet the unashamedly snooty cheese ball buyer, you either chuckle or frown (and dare I say you might even recall some experiences from downtown Nantucket). But best of all is the play’s one character that reminds you of your closest friend. You know, that person who understands you in stark honesty yet still loves you as you are? The flippant Sedarises may in fact be much wiser than they come across in their bathroom humor screenwriting style.
And since we are on Nantucket, you’re wondering if Amy Stiller is one of those Stillers, aren’t you? Indeed she is, and she lives up to her big name on the stage. She laughs alongside the audience just enough to endear her to us without stepping a single toe outside of the story. Still, I must confess to having been slightly distracted by Stiller’s distinct resemblance to her A-list younger brother (who, by the way, you just might find yourself next to in the audience one of these nights). But overall, how many people can say they’ve witnessed a female version of Ben Stiller take on the role of an overwrought Amish woman, oozing purity and perspiration? If you would like to join these respectable ranks, then reserve yourself a seat by visiting TheatreWorkshop.com or calling 508-228-4305. You have just two more weeks to catch the play at Centre Stage, located at 2 Centre Street beneath the Methodist Church. Remaining show times are as follows:
- Thursday, July 14 at 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, July 15 at 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, July 17 at 3 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 20 at 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, July 22 at 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m.
