Free Beau Jest by James Sherman

popular playwrights to emerge from Victory Gardens Theater. His writing is both funny and universal in its approach. Beau Jest is a play in which Judaism might be considered to be a major theme and yet, I think the play is far more concerned with the behavior that exists between parents and their children. The central focus in the initial production was Sarah Goldman’s “Coming of Age.”
    The script is written in a three act form, and as such, it has a somewhat classical structure. We, the audience, are presented with a situation, a complιcation, a climax, and a denouement. We experience a disordered world which is returned to order and Sherman allows the audience to experience mirth without taking a pejorative attitude to any particular character or characters.
    It has been suggested that theater style in Chicago is a cross between Stanislavski and Second City. Chicago theater artists are concerned with honesty of emotion and also tend to feel comfortable with the process and results of improvisation. James Sherman is no exception to this; as a member of The Second City Company, he was conditioned to “write on his feet.” Consequently, his work is humorous, immediate, and designed to be only as long as the writer’s objective requires.
    Since Sherman is a man of the theater, his plays are often balanced between “theatrical” characters and viewpoints and those of the “real world.” The pleasure of Beau Jest is in viewing Bob, an actor, making the best of a difficult situation while, at the same time, seeing him share in the joyous contribution of Jewish culture—L’chaim.
     
    Dennis Zacek
Artistic Director
Victory Gardens Theater
    June 1990

COSTUME PLOT
    SARAH
     
    ACT I
    Burgundy silk jacquard blouse, burgundy and navy jacquard pleated skirt, navy pumps, taupe hose, gold hoop earrings, gold watch
     
    ACT II
    Magenta and white, 2-piece dress, navy pumps, taupe hose, silver earrings
     
    ACT III, Sc 1
    Lt periwinkle terrycloth robe, blue towel, grey bunny slippers
     
    ACT III, Sc 2
    Navy blue knit turtleneck dress w/matching belt, navy pumps, gold hoop earrιngs, gold watch
     
    MIRIAM
     
    ACT I
    Royal blue print sweater w/matchιng skirt, half slip, mink jacket, black heels, taupe hose, gold ball earrings, gold wedding rings, black purse
     
    ACT II
    Floral print georgette dress w/black patent belt, It grey trench coat w/burgundy lining, silver earrings
     
    ACT III
    Red and blue print dress w/matching belt, same trench coat as Act II, gold and pearl earrings, pearl necklace
     
    BOB
     
    ACT I
    Blue glen plaid 2-piece suιt, white stripped shirt, khaki belted trench coat, black wιngtips, grey-blue checked socks, blue print tie, black belt
     
    ACT II
    Same suit as Act I, tattersall shirt, same trench coat and shoes, as Act I, burgundy print tie
     
    ACT III
    Blue-grey plaid sport coat, charcoal pleated trousers, blue oxford button down shirt, black suede wιngtips, burgundy striped knit tie, grey belt
    ABE
     
     
    ACT I
    Black and whιte herringbone sport coat, dk grey trousers, blue stιped shirt, khaki trench coat, black slip-ons, over-the calf grey socks, grey and burgundy striped suspenders, blue striped tιe
     
    ACT II
    Grey 2-piece suit, whιle striped shirt, same trench coat and shoes as Act I, burgundy suspenders, blue & grey print tιe, white handkerchief
     
    ACT III
    Repeat sport coat & trousers at Act II, It grey oxford button down shirt, same trench coat and shoes as previous act, burgundy print tie
     
    JOEL
     
    ACT I
    Brown herringbone sport coat, brown wool trousers, beige button down shirt, tan, teal & purple sweater, brown slip-on shoes, brown sock, tan belt
     
    ACT II
    Charcoal pinstriped, 2-piece suit, white striped shirt, black wingtips, black socks, black belt, navy print ue
     
    ACT III
    Charcoal corduroy trousers, grey print sweater, It. tan shirt, It grey wind breaker, previous shoes
     
    CHRIS
     
    ACT I
    Navy blue 2-piece suit , white striped shirt, khaki trench coat,