Review by Elyse Trevers
The title describes the target audience immediately. “Two Jews, Talking” will be a show that appeals to Jewish theatergoers. The two characters are both older and the humor should resonate with older viewers. The target audience is very limited.
The cast members, Hal Linden (91) and Bernie Kopell (89), are beloved actors known for their television roles on “Barney Miller” and “The Love Boat.” But, personally, the appeal of the show for me was more the writer, Ed. Weinberger than the actors. Weinberger wrote and produced for “Mary Tyler Moore,” “Taxi ”and “The Cosby Show” along with others. I hoped a show by Weinberger ( comparatively ‘young’ at age 77 ) would be an entertaining comedy, a 90 minute sitcom. Unfortunately, it really wasn’t.
“Two Jews, Talking” is composed of two skits. The first features Bud and Lou. But they aren’t Abbott and Costello; these are two Jews in the desert, following Moses to the Promised Land. After 30 years, Lou (Linden) has become frustrated and angry. They are L-O-S-T, he says repeatedly, and Moses refuses to admit it. Lou would rather stay at the oasis that Bud insists is a figment of their imaginations. In their conversation, Lou rewrites the Ten Commandments as well as describes the orgy he attended while Moses was away. Cynical, Lou is unhappy and Bud tries to pacify him, explaining that God has a plan and Moses will lead them to their new home. The conversation as well as the robes the two wore, are reminiscent of Mel Brooks as the 10,000 year old man. There was some funny dialogue, but the jokes didn’t seem to connect with the audience.
Fast forward to the present. Two strangers meet and sit together on a bench. By way of a 2022 introduction, Marty (Linden) says “Two Pfizer shots and two boosters,” and Phil (Koppell) responds with his Moderna dosage. Despite the change in time, the characters are somewhat similar to the first act. Linden is the critical and disgruntled one while Koppell is more resigned.
Again the humor is sparse. Marty tells his new friend jokes “Are you sure you haven’t heard this one?” The routine is the same and the jokes are ‘chestnuts.’ Phil chastises Marty about eating on the bench which is confusing, at first, until we realize where they actually are. The two talk of family, children and life’s disappointments. Marty is bitter while Phil tries to look at the positives.
There were places in the script which seemed like there should have been laughter. Yet there wasn’t. Was it the actors? The script ? Or perhaps the nature of the audience. The young man next to me laughed only when Marty mentioned Forest Hills. As the play ended, the tone got more serious and the conclusion was totally somber, introspective and unexpected.
Despite everything, “Two Jews, Talking” is inspirational. Life doesn’t end at 50! Linden and Koppell are onstage the entire time; neither falters or misses a line. At the end after the bows, they gently sashayed off the stage. It was fun seeing two television favorites on stage again. I just wish they had better material.
