Polish Joke | HotCity Theatre

Hickey was sensational in the lead role of Jasiu. His ability to play the straight man in a play peppered with hilarious one-liners and well-thought-out comedic scenes was terrific.

 

By David Ives
Directed by William Grivna
Through May 6, 2006

Plays based on ethnic jokes are risky; you never can tell how sensitive an audience will be on any given night. So when I entered the ArtLoft Theatre for HotCity Theatre’s second season opener, David Ives’ Polish Joke, I was careful to note the crowd’s reaction. In an age when political correctness runs rampant, I was interested to see if a St. Louis audience could build a bridge and get over themselves by enjoying a play full of tongue-in-cheek, off-color humor.

In Polish Joke, the jokes come fast and furious as young Jasiu (Christopher Hickey) is forced to reconcile with his Polish heritage. His uncle Roman (Greg Johnston) recommends to a very young and impressionable Jasiu that he change his last name and deny his family line if he wants to get anywhere in the world. Taking his mentor’s advice to heart, Jasiu spends a large part of his life dealing with the repercussions of denying his Polish upbringing.

The play’s lighthearted look at a man dealing with self-acceptance is a wild roller coaster ride made up of several small scenes illustrating Jasiu’s path to absolution. The smaller scenes work extremely well, giving the production a sense of fun and frivolity. Add in the fact that 24 characters were played on stage by five actors not only impressed this jaded reviewer, it made me sit up and appreciate the hard work of these fantastic thespians.

Hickey was sensational in the lead role of Jasiu. His ability to play the straight man in a play peppered with hilarious one-liners and well-thought-out comedic scenes was terrific. No matter what scene he was in, he commanded the stage like a veteran actor. Making his Hot City Theatre debut with this production, Hickey has proved that he is a talent to watch by giving a very well balanced performance.

Giving Hickey a run for his money were B. Weller and Lavonne Byers. Director William Grivna pulled a comedic ace out of his sleeve by casting Weller in most of the roles with the best punch lines. I have been a fan of Weller ever since I saw him perform with the local sketch comedy troupe, the NonProphets. Weller is one of those rare comedians who can mix his physical and verbal humor together seamlessly without coming off trite. Shining in his roles as Polish immigrant Ladislaw, Irish travel agent Mr. O’Flanagan, and as a psychotic doctor, Weller was able to garner the majority of the audience’s laughs.

Byers also impressed me with her amazing comedic performance. Some of her scene-stealing roles, including playing a florist, a dopey nurse, and—the crowd favorite—Mrs. O’Flanagan, nearly brought the house down. Her easy interaction with Weller and Hickey completed a comedic trifecta that proved that when great actors work together, good things happen.

I would be remiss in not mentioning the other two actors who help round out the cast. Both Greg Johnston and Larissa Forsythe turned in respectable, enjoyable performances and gave the production a healthy dose of stability.

What could have been an awkward night at the theater turned out to be a night where we could unabashedly sit back and laugh. While the Polish jokes on stage may have been a bit corny and dated, one thing is certain: This production is no joke; it’s a smash hit.

HotCity Theatre presents David Ives’ Polish Joke through May 6 at the Art Loft theater (1529 Washington Ave., St. Louis). Performances are Thurs.–Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors, available at the box office or by phone at 314-289-4063. You can also purchase tickets online.