The Book of Liz
Y
May 12, 2005
2nd Stage Theatre, Hollywood
Started May 1
Through June 26
Written by David Sedaris and his sister Amy, "The Book of Liz" (an L.A. premiere and 90 minutes without intermission) is wacky, witty and wonderfully performed by the Blank Theatre Company.
David Sedaris is simply one of the most irreverent, over-the-top comedian-satirists alive today. Sort of a gentler version of Will Rogers, if you imagine such a thing. A regular commentator on National Public Radio, he has written several novels -- including "Barrel Fever" and "Naked" -- as well as the best-seller "Me Talk Pretty One Day," a collection of essays. Amy Sedaris is an actress-playwright who, along with her sibling, has collaborated in a number of plays as the Talent Family.
With its offbeat and odd sense of humor, "The Book of Liz," a gentle satire on the Amish, is vintage Sedaris -- a blend of the scared and the profane but always caring and even, at times, touching. Credit Darin Anthony for the adroit direction; Julia Austerman for the authentic costumes; Warren Davis for the sound and Jason Z. Cohen for the unique set design.
All is set in and around the Squeamish community of Clusterhaven, a religious community that survives on the cheese balls (smoky and traditional) made by Sister Elizabeth Donderstock (Ann Magnuson is first-rate) with a certain secret ingredient that only she can supply. When officious Brother Nathaniel Brightbee (Jeff Witzke is fine) arrives and takes over the making of the cheese, Sister Elizabeth, feeling unappreciated among her Squeamish brethren, decides to try her luck in the outside world.
Then the Sedaris offbeat humor really kicks in. She initially runs into Oxana and Yvone Kolobko (the outlandish Johanna McKay and Sam Zeller), a squabbling Ukrainian couple, and then winds up waiting tables at the Plymouth Crock Family Restaurant, run by detoxing gay Duncan Trask (a quality performance by Tom Lenk). Although these are not exactly shining examples of life outside the compound, they help her realize her unique place in the world even in the more restricted world of Clusterhaven. Armed with a new reassurance, Sister Elizabeth returns to Clusterhaven where she creates some worldly changes -- all for the good.
Strong and savvy support is added by Mike Genovese as the righteous Rev. Tollhouse, Susan Ruttan as yenta Sister Constance Butterworth, and Matt Crabtree and Laura Pruden in a number of different roles.
THE BOOK OF LIZ
Presented by the Blank Theatre Company
Credits:
Playwrights: Amy Sedaris, David Sedaris
Director: Darin Anthony
Set designer: Jason Z. Cohen
Lighting designer: Jaymi Lee Smith
Costume designer: Julia Austerman
Sound designer: Warren Davis
Cast:
Rev. Tollhouse: Mike Genovese
Sister Elizabeth Donderstock: Ann Magnuson
Brother Nathaniel Brightbee: Jeff Witzke
Sister Constance Butterworth: Susan Ruttan
Oxana: Johanna McKay
Yvone: Sam Zeller
Duncan Trask: Tom Lenk
Visil/Brother Hesikiah/Donny Polk/Rudy Bruton: Matt Crabtree
Cecily Cole/Dr. Barb Ginley/Ms. Yolanda Foxley: Laura Pruden
Started May 1
Through June 26
Written by David Sedaris and his sister Amy, "The Book of Liz" (an L.A. premiere and 90 minutes without intermission) is wacky, witty and wonderfully performed by the Blank Theatre Company.
David Sedaris is simply one of the most irreverent, over-the-top comedian-satirists alive today. Sort of a gentler version of Will Rogers, if you imagine such a thing. A regular commentator on National Public Radio, he has written several novels -- including "Barrel Fever" and "Naked" -- as well as the best-seller "Me Talk Pretty One Day," a collection of essays. Amy Sedaris is an actress-playwright who, along with her sibling, has collaborated in a number of plays as the Talent Family.
With its offbeat and odd sense of humor, "The Book of Liz," a gentle satire on the Amish, is vintage Sedaris -- a blend of the scared and the profane but always caring and even, at times, touching. Credit Darin Anthony for the adroit direction; Julia Austerman for the authentic costumes; Warren Davis for the sound and Jason Z. Cohen for the unique set design.
All is set in and around the Squeamish community of Clusterhaven, a religious community that survives on the cheese balls (smoky and traditional) made by Sister Elizabeth Donderstock (Ann Magnuson is first-rate) with a certain secret ingredient that only she can supply. When officious Brother Nathaniel Brightbee (Jeff Witzke is fine) arrives and takes over the making of the cheese, Sister Elizabeth, feeling unappreciated among her Squeamish brethren, decides to try her luck in the outside world.
Then the Sedaris offbeat humor really kicks in. She initially runs into Oxana and Yvone Kolobko (the outlandish Johanna McKay and Sam Zeller), a squabbling Ukrainian couple, and then winds up waiting tables at the Plymouth Crock Family Restaurant, run by detoxing gay Duncan Trask (a quality performance by Tom Lenk). Although these are not exactly shining examples of life outside the compound, they help her realize her unique place in the world even in the more restricted world of Clusterhaven. Armed with a new reassurance, Sister Elizabeth returns to Clusterhaven where she creates some worldly changes -- all for the good.
Strong and savvy support is added by Mike Genovese as the righteous Rev. Tollhouse, Susan Ruttan as yenta Sister Constance Butterworth, and Matt Crabtree and Laura Pruden in a number of different roles.
THE BOOK OF LIZ
Presented by the Blank Theatre Company
Credits:
Playwrights: Amy Sedaris, David Sedaris
Director: Darin Anthony
Set designer: Jason Z. Cohen
Lighting designer: Jaymi Lee Smith
Costume designer: Julia Austerman
Sound designer: Warren Davis
Cast:
Rev. Tollhouse: Mike Genovese
Sister Elizabeth Donderstock: Ann Magnuson
Brother Nathaniel Brightbee: Jeff Witzke
Sister Constance Butterworth: Susan Ruttan
Oxana: Johanna McKay
Yvone: Sam Zeller
Duncan Trask: Tom Lenk
Visil/Brother Hesikiah/Donny Polk/Rudy Bruton: Matt Crabtree
Cecily Cole/Dr. Barb Ginley/Ms. Yolanda Foxley: Laura Pruden
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