‘Bad Jews’– a Comedic Exploration of Religion and Culture

Cast+members+%28left+to+right%29+Jacob+Franz%2C+Marikah+Leal%2C+Megan+Dewitt%2C+and+Quincy+Maxwell.+Bad+Jews+opens+November+13+at+7%3A30+p.m.+at+the+Fresno+City+College+Theater.++

Photo by: Larry Valenzuela

Cast members (left to right) Jacob Franz, Marikah Leal, Megan Dewitt, and Quincy Maxwell. “Bad Jews” opens November 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fresno City College Theater.

A Q&A with cast member Megan DeWitt

Q.    What is “Bad Jews” about?
A.    “‘Bad Jews,’ [written by Joshua Harmon, directed by Janine Christl], tells the story of Daphna Feygenbaum, a “real jew” with an Israeli boyfriend. When Daphna’s cousin Liam brings home his shiksa girlfriend Melody on the night of their Holocaust surviving grandfather’s funeral and declares ownership of their grandfather’s Chai necklace, a vicious and hilarious brawl over family, faith and legacy ensues.”

Q.    What sort of play is it and what topics does it pose?
A.     “It is a comedy that brings out some very real and serious points about religion and the preservation of culture.”

Q.    Why was this play chosen?
A.    “This play was chosen for its exciting and dynamic script as well as its ever-relevant subject matter.”

Q.    Who is in the main cast/what are the characters like?
A    “Marikah Leal plays Daphna Feygenbaum, the “super jew” of the family dead set on preserving her family legacy. Jacob Franz plays Liam Haber, the “bad jew” of the family who goes head to head with Daphna and her religious beliefs. Quincy Maxwell plays Jonah Haber, the younger brother of Liam, who is just trying to get out of this family gathering alive. [I play] Melody, the non-Jewish or “shiksa” girlfriend of Liam Haber.”

Q.    Tell us about your character…
A.    “Melody is a sweet yet somewhat naive girl who’s main mission throughout the play is to win over her boyfriend’s Jewish family. She does her very best to keep the peace, but things don’t exactly go the way she wants them to.”

Q.    How many school performances have you been in?
A    “This will be my third production with Fresno City College. I was previously in ‘Boeing Boeing’ and ‘Still Life With Iris.’”

 

“Bad Jews” will be opening tomorrow, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m and will run on Nov. 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and on the 15, 20, and 21 at 2 p.m.
General admission is $14; $12 for students with an ID, seniors 55 and older and FCC Staff, and $8 for groups of 10 or more.