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Event
The Book of Liz
When one of the wittiest satirists of our time and his comedienne sister write a play together, you know it can't be anything short of hilarious. After all, they call themselves "The Talent Family." David Sedaris is a Grammy-nominated humorist and radio commentator who first garnered notice in 1992 when National Public Radio broadcast his essay "SantaLand Diaries." He has since published several collections of clever, insightful, mostly autobiographical short stories. His sister Amy Sedaris starred in the Comedy Central series "Strangers With Candy."
"The Book of Liz" is the tale of Sister Elizabeth Donderstock, who has spent her entire life in a cloistered religious community called the Squeamish, where she created and single-handedly makes Cluster Haven Farm's famous, financially lucrative cheese balls, both traditional and smoky -- but when sanctimonious new arrival Brother Brightbee convinces Cluster Haven's uptight leader, Rev. Tollhouse, to let him take over the cheese ball operation, Liz, feeling frustrated and unappreciated, leaves the compound for the first time to try her luck in the "real" world. The first person she meets is dressed as Mr. Peanut. Culture shock ensues, in the extreme. When her Squeamish brethren back at Cluster Haven realize Liz is missing, they also discover she has taken the cheese ball recipe's secret ingredient with her.
Director Mike Brown says, "I was looking for a comedy to fill an open slot in the season's schedule, and I have read very few scripts that made me laugh out loud as much as this one. The dialogue is hilarious and, while the play's wackiness is somewhat over-the-top, I found an endearing truthfulness to the characters and their dilemmas. It should also be noted that, although the play pokes fun at the cloistered lifestyle and might be considered irreverent, it does not criticize religion at all. It is about people, extremely eccentric people, the kind of people I like the most."
As the play's authors give no background for their fictional religious community, Brown has created his own history of the Squeamish as an aid to the actors and in defining the look of the play. It deals with witch hunts, magic mushrooms and a visitation by an ethereal being in a strange ball of orange light, somewhat resembling a cheese ball. Of course, none of that history is actually in the play except as visual reference, but will be detailed in the program for anyone interested in reading it.
Originally written to be performed by four actors playing 15 characters, Brown has expanded the cast to six and assembled actors he has worked with before. "I needed people with specific skills, and fortunately I knew actors who had them."
"The Book of Liz" opens with a low-priced preview performance on Friday, Feb. 4, for which all seats are $16. Saturday, Feb. 5, is a gala opening night celebration with a champagne and hors d'oeuvre reception for which all seats are $23. For all other performances, tickets are $18 general admission, $16 for students and seniors, and $13 per person for groups of 10 or more. "The Book of Liz" plays Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm, Feb. 4 through Feb. 27.
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LocationThe Costa Mesa Playhouse
661 Hamilton Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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