“Olive and the Bitter Herbs” gives the sausage to Spectrum Theater
The Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids production of “Olive,” playing through June 24, is a larger-than-life story of part-time actress Olive, who has embraced a role in her own life: that of Curmudgeonly Old Jewish Woman.
The fun starts before the show does: at Spectrum Theater, as the audience waits, classic TV theme songs fill the air, winningly; even the sourest critic would struggle to frown through the theme to “Golden Girls.”
It’s an appropriate choice. Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids’ “Olive and the Bitter Herbs” is, in a way, a sitcom: it’s full of larger-than-life characters, coincidences, expertly-delivered zingers, and, perhaps, even a lesson.
The play, by Charles Busch (author of the startlingly titled “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom”) and directed locally by Darius Tq Colquitt, centers on Olive Fisher, an actress whose most prominent role was an old commercial in which she demanded, “Gimme the sausage!” She still acts — she lands an NCIS guest role, for instance — but not often.
Olive’s embraced a role in her own life: that of Curmudgeonly Old Jewish Woman. It’s partly theatrical, and partly not; occasionally, chinks in her armor reveal the loneliness beneath it.
Into her world come several people, whether or not she likes it: Robert and Trey, a sweet-and-sour gay couple with a slight cheese obsession; Sylvan, a three-time widower; Wendy, a theatrical manager and busybody; and Howard, a ghost (a ghost!).
Over the course of the play, Olive finds herself hosting a disastrous seder. In its aftermath, uncomfortable truths are revealed, unlikely bonds surface, and a chance for happiness is seized.
Does all this work? It does, because Lori Jacobs is in it. She plays Olive with utter commitment. The sometimes under-written role demands that she pivot from vinegary one-liners to pained monologues, as the play itself could have done more to make her feel fully human. But Jacobs’ acting never stumbles.
Of the cast around her, Paul Arnold is probably the best. He brings quiet dignity and palpable decency to Sylvan, and when he feels joy, the audience feels it with him.
Shavonne Coleman, as Wendy, is intermittently good. She’s best when she’s in the middle of big and expansive moments; somehow, she’s less believable when straightening magazines than when launching herself into a fight.
Dave Benson conveys Robert’s kindness well, but in moments of strain you can feel the effort behind his acting. Of David Wood, as Trey, it can be said that he sulks well.
Seize the sausage: see the play. Jacobs’ performance embodying Olive alone demands it. And you’ll laugh—at least I did. I admit I laughed too loudly, but we can blame that on the quality work of the cast: I couldn’t help myself.
Finally, it’s an example of the fine work put out by Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids. Imagine theatre without Jewishness! It would be like Italian food without pasta, or music history without the piano, or the West Michigan media scene without…well, modesty forbids me (ahem: to get dramatic about life without culturedGR). Sorry: a sitcom kind of line, I know. An Olive line. But don’t we all emulate those we love?
“Olive and the Bitter Herbs”
Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids
Playing at Spectrum Theater downtown
June 14–24
Tickets available online here.
