In a word, the play “Two Jews, Talking” is funny. The audience at Theatre at St. Clements on a very hot August day laughed, applauded, and had a good time. There are several reasons why this play was so well received by the crowd.
“Two Jews, Talking,” written by Ed Weinberger and directed by Dan Wackerman, has a basic script which actually two one act plays. The first one is in the Biblical desert circa 1505 BCE. The time is late afternoon on a Tuesday. Why a Tuesday? We don’t have much evidence of what life was really like then, so we take Mr. Weinberger’s word for it. However, the second act is more fluid. It takes place in a park, “last week on a summer afternoon.”
The scenery is sparse; just enough to give a setting to the two time periods. The desert scene has rocks and boulders along with an anemic looking tree. The park has a bench and shrubbery.
The script has many funny lines in it. The lines come to life in a special way because of the performances of two very seasoned veterans of stage and screen. Hal Linden and Bernie Kopell know how to entertain their audiences. Their understanding of comedy and how to deliver it to their audience is what makes this show so entertaining to see. Their command of the stage and what needs to be focused on is superb. Watching them in this play is like attending a master class of good comedic techniques.
Act I – In the Desert
The first act shows Lou (Hal Linden) and Bud (Bernie Kopell) taking a break from the large group of people who are walking through the desert. Lou’s feet hurt him because he wears boots. He tells Bud that he waited in the sandal line but they did not have his size. The men discuss a number of topics related to that time period when the Jews left slavery in Egypt and wandered through the desert seeking out the promised land. Bud observes, “Maybe you say we’re going in circles. I say — Moses knows where he’s going.” But Lou replies, “Moses! You don’t get it, do you? The man is lost. L-O-S-T. LOST! And not once in 30 years has he stopped and asked for directions!”
Dialog continues as the two men talk about events related to their journey. One of the funniest moments in the play is the description of the “orgy” at Mount Sinai.
Lou attended Bud did not. And Lou has lots of details. He talks about the food including a large platters of liver. Bud asks, “Sliced or chopped?” To which Lou replies “Chopped. Naturally.”
However, Lou describes how Moses comes down from the mountain and ruins everything. “Children of Israel, you’ve turned away from the Lord. You have corrupted yourselves.” Bud says, “What did you expect? He was angry. He turns his back for a minute and all hell breaks loose.” Lou replies, “Four hundred years we were slaves — finally we’re free and we can’t throw a party? After that, it’s been one damn law after another. What to wear. What not to wear. What to eat. What not to eat. When to shave. When not to shave. When to make love. When not to make love.”
There are a number of exchanges in this act just as funny as these.
There is no intermission so when Act I ends, the two actors leave the stage and it is reset for Act II.
Act II – In a Park
Act II is in modern day. Bernie Kopell plays Phil and Hal Linden plays Marty. These two men share a bench in what looks to be a park. A few mentions are made of CoVid 19 such as Marty’s entry when uses a hand-held “spritzer” and sprays the bench. Then with a handkerchief, he carefully wipes down the seat and backrest. Phil says, “It’s okay. I’m vaccinated. Pfizer. Twice. With two boosters.” And Marty says, “I’m Moderna twice — also with two boosters.’
For the most part, the conversation is general topics related to the lives the men live. Some sections of this part are topics related to growing older but others are emotional issues the men face in their lives. They talk about people who were in their lives but are now buried here where they are seated. Marty’s wife’s grave is the reason he visits and Phil’s son who died of AIDS is his.
The second act is more poignant than the first one. Perhaps the chance to use current events allows that to take place. One of the finest moments in the play is at the very end when the two men say a prayer together in Hebrew.
It is a beautiful way to end the play.
About “Two Jews, Talking”
The play runs through October 23 at the Theatre at St. Clements. The location of this venue is 423 W. 46th Street in New York City. Tickets are available through a link on their website.
The play runs approximately 70 minutes, Although it is a short production, it is high quality. Hal Linden and Bernie Kopell have a good synergy as they portray their characters. You will be pleased seeing this.