The story at the center of the comedy of Beau Jest is probably as old as time itself. A father and mother want their daughter to marry within their faith and they sure hope the young man can provide well for their daughter.
The comedy runs this week and weekend in the in the White Theatre at the Jewish Community Campus, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, Kan. Additional evening performances are Dec. 8 and 10; and the last 2 p.m. performance is Dec. 11.
This romantic comedy centers on Sarah, a “nice Jewish girl,” whose parents want her to marry a nice Jewish boy. But they haven’t met Sarah’s real boyfriend, a Protestant named Chris Kringle. Sarah tells her folks she’s dating a nice Jewish doctor and when called to bring him to the family Passover Seder, she hires an actor to pull off the charade. Family dynamics provide for an entertaining piece of theater.
“We chose this play because it is a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy,” says Mark Swezey, who directs the production. “It is hilarious and very touching. It has a lot to say about nuclear families of any ethnic persuasion.”
Kansas City rising star Patrick Lewallen is featured in this production. Lewallen, a graduate of Shawnee Mission South High School, was the lead in the national tour of the hit musical Rock of Ages and appears in the film version starring Tom Cruise, due out in theaters next summer. Lewallen recently returned “home” for what he thought would be a quiet sojourn spending time with family and friends. He missed Thanksgiving for the past couple of years due to his touring with the road shows of Jesus Christ Superstar and Rock of Ages.
“Upon my return, Mark Swezey, my old high school theater teacher, director and very close friend, invited me to do this show – my first non-musical production in about seven years,” Lewallen says. “The hilarious script is captivating. The story revolves around loving, comedic family members and their dysfunctional relationships, something every family can relate to. With the holiday season coming, I was excited to find a way to stay in town for a few months, work on a great show with a solid cast and creative team, and spread the joy of family from the stage.”
Lewallen says no matter what faith, the show focuses on family and the generational gap between parents and children. “When the third act comes around, I teared up in rehearsals. We have such a strong cast. It’s a small cast of six great actors. I knew I wanted to do this show.” The other actors are Rebecca Johnston (Sarah Goldman); Bob Kohler, (Chris Kringle); Cathy Wood, (Miriam Goldman, Sarah’s mother); Greg Butell, (Abe Goldman, Sarah’s father); and Bobby Miller as Joel Goldman (Sarah’s brother).
Lewallen says the first three lines should hook an audience. Sarah and Chris exchange “I love yous” and then Sarah says, “That must be my date.” Lewallen plays the escort Bob.
“I also get to perform with Cathy Wood, my first drama teacher. Then I have the joy of working with Mark. It’s two of my high school favorites. What a blast from the past!”
Lewallen got into theater when Pam Williamson, the drama teacher, told him there are pretty girls in theater so he auditioned for the musical. Though a soccer player, Lewallen found a comfort on the stage. He studied at Missouri State and then moved closer to home and finished his degree at the University of Kansas. “I have been an apostle in Jesus Christ Superstar, plus the understudy for Pontius Pilate and King Herrod. In Rock of Ages, I played the narrator who acts as the linchpin between the audience and the actors. It’s a dream come true.” For the Rock of Ages movie starring Tom Cruise and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lewallen had the opportunity to be a featured dancer for the song Jukebox Hero.
Now that he is back home and on the stage, he again treasures the magic about live theater. “Every night is different. With Rock of Ages, we were performing eight shows a week and almost every time, I was excited because there is a boost of energy given from the audience.” Lewallen hopes to see families in the audience. “It’s going to have a soft spot for everyone. It’s not about the belly laughs, but the sweetness of family. There is nothing wrong with romantic comedies and there’s a great joy in believing in true love. Plus I love the idea that family can overcome all odds.”
Tickets may be purchased on line by visiting the JCC’s website at www.jcckc.org.
