Blinn College-Bryan Theatre closes season with comedic family drama, ‘Bad Jews’
‘This is a gripping story about family at its core,’ says theatre student Chelsea Mansker
April 20, 2018
The Blinn College-Bryan Campus Theatre Arts Program brings its 2017-18 season to a close with a comedic family battle that incites the ongoing debate between tradition and progression.
Blinn will present Joshua Harmon’s “Bad Jews” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, April 26-28, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 29, in Bryan Campus Student Center Room F-120 (map).
Performances are $5 for students and $10 for the general public. Seating is first-come, first-served. Tickets can be purchased at www.blinn.edu/boxoffice/bryan For questions regarding ticket reservations, contact the Box Office at 979-209-8100. Tickets also will be available at the door.
Set in a cramped studio apartment in New York City, the production features three Jewish cousins – and a girlfriend in tow – who engage in a verbal battle over a family heirloom left behind following their grandfather’s death. Arguments quickly escalate beyond the heirloom, focusing on each character’s life choices regarding their faith and culture.
“Amongst the characters, we have a very traditional Jewish individual and one who is secular, so, of course, that leads to a very comedic duel about who will carry on the legacy of the family,” Blinn-Bryan Theatre Director Jean Daniels said. “We are excited for our audience to witness the ending – they will be totally surprised.”
Although the play focuses on the Jewish faith, “Bad Jews” delves into timeless issues that resonate across all generations and cultures. Audiences should note that the play contains adult language and themes.
“This is a gripping story about family at its core,” said theatre student Chelsea Mansker, who plays the aggressively devout Daphna. “It is a nice balance of comedy and drama. There are moments you can laugh at, but, at the same time, we take on some very serious issues.”
The Friday performance will be followed by a “Friday Night Talkback,” in which the director and actors return to the stage to discuss the production and answer questions from the audience. Representatives from Texas A&M Hillel, a recognized Jewish student organization at Texas A&M University, will be at the April 26 performance to provide insight into the Jewish faith.
Blinn’s Theatre Arts Program hosts a variety of performances each year on its Bryan and Brenham campuses, and offers a quality educational foundation through study, application and experience. The Theatre Arts Program is part of Blinn’s www.blinn.edu/visual-performing-arts/, which offers courses and hands-on learning opportunities in architecture, arts, communication studies, construction science, kinesiology, music, and theatre.
Registration for May Minimester, Summer I and II, Fall 2018, and at Blinn’s new campus at the RELLIS Campus is now available. For enrollment or financial aid information, visit www.blinn.edu.
