CULTURE GECKO
18 Jews Order Chinese Food is a Magnificent Ravenous Comedy that is a Heartfelt Reflection of Family and Grief
By Ezekiel McAdams
February 5 2025
Persephone Theatre’s newest production is the world premiere of 18 Jews Order Chinese Food. The play was originally conceived as a ten minute play as part of the 2021 Short Cuts Festival. It was then expanded into its current full length two act structure.
18 Jews Order Chinese Food is running from February 5-16th 2025 at Persephone Theatre’s Main Stage.
The play is also the opening for the second year of the Saskatchewan Jewish Arts Festival.
The festival debuted in 2022 and was founded by Malvina Rapko and Joel Bernbaum. Bernbaum also directed the production.
The play is directed by Joel Bernbaum, written by Jenna Berenbaum and starring Aviva Armour-Ostroff (Sharon), Lisa Bayliss (Chavi), Miranda Hughes- McKnight (Nami), Brian Linds (Lior), Katie Moore (Kiva) and Andrew Taylor (Ben).
The production is a laugh out loud riot, a classically structured situational comedy anchored by the passing of the family patriarch, Chavi’s husband. The play’s strong characterization, sharp dialogue is further amplified by the talented cast, wonderful set design and costume design.
For a play that is celebrating its world premiere, it is simply stunning how well tuned this production is The juxtaposition of grief and tragedy while utilizing comedy as a backbone is a time honored tradition and premise, yet this production feels new, lively, insanely relatable and modern.
Bernbaum’s direction is simple yet precise allowing the cast and script to come alive while maintaining a confident tone like a seasoned conductor.
Berenbaum’s script sparkles and paints a canvas of a dysfunctional yet loving family, where the dialogue is constantly firing throughout the production akin to cannons, never missing unless to take a brief momentary hiatus. The characters came alive on the stage embodied by the talented cast and like well known comedy vehicles such as Seinfeld, My Big Fat Greek Wedding or Corner Gas, each character is instantly recognizable as someone we have crossed paths with in life.
Bayliss’ performance as Chavi, the family’s matriarch is award worthy. From her body posture, physicality, shrew vocal cadence and cavalcade of emotions culminating into a delightfully humorous, intense presentation interwoven like a magnetic tapestry
Moore steals the show as Kiva where her boisterous energy takes centre stage, where her comic antics, passionate attitude is deliciously infectious. Moore also conveys such wonderful emotion as her character wants to be acknowledged and accepted for being gay and being a good sister, daughter and grandchild.
Hughes-McKnight captures such nervous energy as Nami. She is effective at conveying a can do, people pleasing candor well. However it is her character that really is the beating heart of the ensemble as her devotion to her family, her sister, mother, father, grandmother and partner is so earnest that it resonates throughout the production. Hughes McKnight is also Head of Wardrobe at Persephone Theatre.
Armour-Ostroff brings such quiet subtly and nuance as Sharon, Chav’s daughter, you might miss the multiple layers interwoven beneath the surface. Her ability to be sullen, surprised, angry and perplexed may not be the most pronounced as other performances but her character and Armour-Ostroff’s performance is the hidden glue of the family unit.
Linds’ ability to be at times hapless, nonchalant son-in-law, husband and father is a wonderful reveal. Linds is able to effectively convey displeasure, shock and joy is effortless as it is enchanting.
Finally, Taylor is incredible with his ability to showcase a black sheep outsider ascetic as Nami’s partner and be the audience’s surrogate into the dysfunctional family dynamic. Taylor balances the fine line of being clumsy and socially awkward, albeit well meaning and charming aloofness with ease.
Carla Orosz’s set design is as award worthy as it is ingenious, creative and magnificently effective as the backdrop throughout. With the simple familiar nostalgic set pieces to the revolving stage that allows the actor to be magically transported is an enchanting display that is truly unforgettable. Orosz is also the Department Head of the Drama Department at the University of Saskatchewan.
Jensine Emeline’s costume design is subtle as it captures multiple color tones and palettes that distinctively pop they also aren’t distracting striking an effective tone.
Yvette Nolan helps the script as dramaturg and does a wonderful job of overseeing, supportive and being one of many cogs in the machine that allow the production to be truly remarkable.
Nathan Bruce’s lighting design captures a simplicity that shouldn’t be forgotten helping to evoke the family dynamic and situational comedy aspect.
Clinton Ackerman does a wonderful job as sound designer with soundtrack choices and sound choices and cues that help add to the magic and wonder on stage.
Finally, the collective unison of Alana Freistadt as stage manager, Grahame Kent as assistant director, Cody Brayshaw as apprentice set designer, Aaron Shingoose as assistant stage manager and Sam Fairweather as apprentice stage manager should all be recognized for their hard work that is clearly felt throughout the production.
18 Jews Order Chinese Food is one of the finest tightly written script only added by the magnificently talented cast, precise direction and wonderfully transforming, alluring set design that the entire production, from the director, writer, cast and crew should be nominated. This production deserves to be a contender for future classic. This production is side splitting funny as it is heartfelt and will leave an indelible impression for decades to come.
18 Jews Order Chinese Food is running at Persephone Theatre from February 5-16th 2025 at Persephone Theatre’s Main Stage in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Tickets can be bought online here or at the box office.