Review:
"Comedy lives up to Sedaris name"
Posted on Sat, May. 10, 2008
Lana K. Hoover, left, is Sister Butterworth and Jacque Wahl is
Sister Elizabeth Donderstock in Theatre Arlington's The Book of
Liz.
By Mark Lowry
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
ARLINGTON -- Theatre Arlington opened the
Tarrant County premiere of The Book of Liz, a satirical
comedy that happily shuns subtlety, on Friday. Of course, no
expects subtlety when the authors are hilarious siblings Amy and
David Sedaris. The play is directed by Charles Ballinger, and
the performance seen for this review was Thursday's preview.
The story
In an Amishlike community called Cluster Haven,
a naive but adventurous woman with a sweat gland problem, Sister
Elizabeth Donderstock (Jacque Wahl), makes cheese balls, a major
part of the kinship's income. When she becomes unhappy, she runs
away, and her misadventures including a stint as a peanut
mascot, hanging out with two Ukrainians with British accents,
and waitressing in a theme restaurant called Plymouth Crock.
Kenny Green, Tyler Cochran, Shane Strawbridge
and, most adeptly, Lana K. Hoover play multiple roles in this
wacky world, where "chastity parades" and a doctor's sample
container (intended for urine) make for just two of the
play's verbal and visual jokes. In the end, it's a sweet tribute
to embracing your heritage and not compromising your principles.
The production
Hoover has the most characters, and the most
costume and accent changes, and handles them brilliantly. The
men are pretty good, too, and Strawbridge's Paul Lynde-esque
speech as Brother Brightbee is a hoot.
But the show rests on Wahl, who creates a
loveable, squeaky-voiced mixture of Gracie Allen, Tammy Faye
Messner and, well, Amy Sedaris. She's so genuine and funny
throughout that you can't help but be emotionally involved in
her journey. And that makes the sometimes very off-color humor
all the more startling.
The Book of Liz
Friday through May 25
7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m.
Sundays
Theatre Arlington, 305 W. Main St., Arlington
$15-$17
817-275-7661;
www.theatrearlington.org
Be advised: Strong and
vulgar language, a few naughty and gross sight gags
Runtime: One hour, 35
minutes with one intermission
Best reason to go: Wahl's
funny, affecting performance
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PICK OF THE WEEK | ARLINGTON
The Book of Liz
By Mark Lowry
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
You know (and we assume love) David Sedaris'
humorous writing, and how can you not also love his perky and
equally funny (in a different way) sister, Amy. Together,
they've gotta be HI-larious, right? Let's hope. Their play
The Book of Liz, about a woman who makes cheese balls and
has some wacky adventures, makes its Tarrant County debut at
Theatre Arlington this week.
The Book of Liz
Through May 25
7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m.
Sundays
Theatre Arlington
305 W. Main St.
Arlington
$15-$17
817-275-7661
www.theatrearlington.org
Jacque Wahl as Sister Elizabeth Donderstock
Photo by
Eric Younkin
Call 817-275-7661 for reservations or purchase
online.
Posted on Sun, May. 11, 2008
Brother & sister act
Who's funnier than David Sedaris? Him with his sister, Amy,
that's who. Their play, The Book of Liz, opened this
weekend at Theatre Arlington. Today's show is at 2 p.m. $15-$17.
817-275-7661;
www.theatrearlington.org.
Kenny Green, Jacque Wahl and Lana Kay Hoover |
