Big characters fill WCT's 'Crossing Delancey'

Waukesha Civic Theatre's "Crossing Delancey" is remindful of miniature paintings, with detailed scenes in the space of postcard.

In the short space of 90 minutes, the show painted a charming picture of 20-something Izzy (Jenny Kosek) who adores her grandma Bubbie (Denise Meagher), but doesn't think she needs any help finding a suitable mate.

Also in that short span, the play manages to sketch out Bubbie and her unique qualities shaped by her Jewish heritage.

Izzy works at a small bookstore and is enamored of a local author named Tyler (Mark Neufang), an arrogant fellow who only has eyes for his latest book and how it is selling despite Izzy's attempts to be noticed. Meanwhile, Bubbie has enlisted her friend, Hannah (Tammy Verba), a matchmaker, to work her magic on Izzy.

Hannah introduces Izzy to Sam (Matt Lovison), who owns a pickle shop, but Izzy is star-struck by Tyler and shows no interest in the sweet and eager entrepreneur. When Sam sends a thoughtful gift to Izzy she begins to see the possibilities. Izzy finally snaps out of the dream world she's created with the author and sees Sam in a new light.

The show is a character study, and that character is Bubbie. Kosek wisely stays out of the way of Meagher's characterization of the consummate Jewish matron, whose mantra is "loneliness is a sickness." Bubbie simply can't believe her granddaughter can be happy without a man in her life and she uses all her wiles to make sure Izzy doesn't spend much more of her life alone.

Meagher, as Bubbie, fills the stage. She spits to exorcise a distasteful sentiment, dances and sings while she bakes and raves about her past beauty, many suitors and culinary skills. She is, in the common parlance, a drama queen. As Jenny, Kosek is engaging but never upstages Meagher's Bubbie.

If Bubbie isn't enough of a character for one stage, the show adds the meddling matchmaker, Hannah. This is one of Verba's larger roles with WCT in recent years and it's great to see her stretch her time on stage with this outlandish character. Verba's Hannah is in your face, unabashed about her opinions and about her love of eating. Most of her lines are delivered with a mouthful of food as she devours Bubbie's blintzes and other goodies. She must have consumed a whole meal onstage. Hannah's ample character wears big bling, big glasses and bright colors to match her bombastic personality. When Bubbie and Hannah are on stage together there isn't a dull nanosecond.

Neufang as the egotistic author, Tyler, wears his self-worth on his sleeve, making it especially fun when he gets his comeuppance.

Not to be overlooked is Lovison's Sam, who is likable from the moment he presents Izzy and Bubbie with a bagful of his prized pickles. Lovison possessed probably the most consistent of New York Yiddish accents on opening night, while Meagher and Verba occasionally lapsed and Kosek simply did without.

Director Karin Cunningham had a veteran WCT cast to work with and presented a fast-moving, thoroughly entertaining little gem of a comedy.

Michael Talaska handled the set design and oversaw construction of a three-layered set jammed with numerous elements without looking the least bit cluttered, including a well-appointed kitchen, a full-shelved bookstore and an outdoor park bench area. Bubbie's kitchen is so realistic - from the little round-top refrigerator to the formica-topped table - you can almost smell the kugel!

IF YOU GO

Who: Waukesha Civic Theatre

What: "Crossing Delancey"

When: Through Feb. 19

Where: 264 W. Main St., Waukesha

Tickets: (262) 547-0708

Information: www.waukeshacivictheatre.org