Arizona Onstage Productions presents “Bad Jews,” a play by Joshua Harmon that asks questions about what you choose to believe when you’re chosen. “Bad Jews” tells the story of Daphna Feygenbaum, a self-proclaimed “Real Jew” with an Israeli boyfriend. Her cousin Liam brings home his non-Jewish girlfriend, Melody, and declares ownership of their deceased grandfather’s chai necklace, which he hid from the Nazis during the Holocaust. A vicious and hilarious brawl over family, faith and legacy ensues. Directed by Kevin Johnson, the play features Shira Maas, Beth May, Jeremy Vega and Luka Vonier.
“I chose this play because it is sharply written and explores what ‘faith’ is to different people on different levels. It is extremely funny, dark and one of a kind,” says Johnson, who warns that the show contains extreme profanity.
The play premiered off-Broadway in October 2012 at the Roundabout Theatre Company’s Black Box Theatre. A New York Times review from 2013 said, “There’s nothing like a death in the family to bring out the worst in people. This unhappy truth is displayed with delectably savage humor in ‘Bad Jews,’ a zesty play by Joshua Harmon.”
“Bad Jews” runs from May 6-22, Friday-Sunday, at the Temple of Music and Art Cabaret Space, 330 S Scott Ave. in Tucson. For tickets, show times and information, call 520-882-6574 or visit arizonaonstage.org.
