By BRANDON MULL
brandon@newsroom.byu.edu
The Provo Theatre Company production of 'The Last Night of Ballyhoo' benefits from good acting that blends comedy and emotion.
The play follows a Southern Jewish family as the much anticipated Ballyhoo dance approaches. The family downplays their religion because the nice neighborhood they live in is populated with Christians.
Uncle Adolf (David Phillips) hires Joe (Christopher Clark) to work for his mattress store. Some in the family discriminate against Joe because he is an Eastern European Jew and is serious about his religion.
The conflict expands as cousins Lala (Carolyn Stone) and Sunny (Colleen Hansen) struggle to get dates to Ballyhoo and find meaningful relationships.
The seven actors in this play create a diverse and interesting ensemble of characters.
Stone portrays Lala as a young woman desperate to find acceptance. Her overanxious behavior around men and her unrealistic hopes make the audience both sympathize with and laugh at her.
Michelle Evans gives an amusing performance as Sunny's mother Reba. Her dazed eyes and the flighty delivery of her lines make her fun to watch.
Matt Biedel does not appear until after intermission as Peachy Weil, an obnoxious suitor from a respected Jewish family. But once on stage, his boisterous character steals scenes and produces some of the biggest laughs of the night.
The play is largely driven by dialogue, taking place mostly in the Freitag family home.
Some parts of the first half of this show move slowly, but after intermission it is solidly entertaining until the end.
The play treats seriously the pain discrimination can inflict on individuals. It also takes a look at what happens to people who fail to realize their aspirations.
Interspersing witty dialogue with serious themes, this play delivers a memorable message about being true to who you are.
'The Last Night of Ballyhoo' plays Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday at 8 p.m. until Dec. 30, with no performances Dec. 24-28.
Tickets range from $9.50 to $15 with various discounts available. For more information call 379-0600.