Palisadian Playwright’s ‘JEWS R 2 MUCH FUN’ Extended Through August

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

“Interfaith lovers. In-your-face fathers. What could possibly go wrong?”

Longtime Palisadian playwright Jerry Mayer has invited the community to view his latest work, “JEWS R 2 MUCH FUN,” which has been extended until August 27 at Santa Monica Playhouse.

“JEWS R 2 MUCH FUN” marks Mayer’s 11th play, as well as the reunion of Mayer and Director Chris DeCarlo.

The show has been described as a “hilarious, laugh-filled comedy,” about a “very timely problem,” grappling with the issue of anti-Semitism.

“JEWS R 2 MUCH FUN” is set in St. Louis, following two young partners, a Catholic girl named Kathy and a Jewish boy named Stanley. As the two plan to get married, they discover turmoil—their fathers are lifetime enemies. The discovery leads the audience through a series of events, including a luncheon that would make Kathy and Stanley’s marriage a “peace in the valley,” according to Mayer.

“It’s a serious comedy that I was inspired to write as an answer to the recent growth of anti-Semitism in this wonderful country,” Mayer said to the Palisadian-Post. “My play becomes a lesson, with wisdom and humor … [The] audience learns a lot they didn’t know about Jewish heroes, like Joseph Pulitzer and Carl Laemmle and Irving Berlin.

“The important thing is, audiences leave the play after enjoying it, saying, ‘I learned so much I didn’t know.’”

With a number of surprises, multimedia design and intricate costumes, “JEWS R 2 MUCH FUN” stars Tara Alexandra Brown, Patrick Censoplano, Jamie Gallo, Paul Linke, Evelyn Rudie and DeCarlo.

Mayer has written for “M*A*S*H,” “The Bob Newhart Show” and “All in the Family,” as well as presented the plays “Almost Perfect,” “Aspirin” and more. He has been a resident of the Palisades for over 50 years after moving from St. Louis. He shared that he recently celebrated his 70th anniversary with the “love of his life,” Emily Mayer.

“We’re very lucky,” he said to the Post.

Performances will take place Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $35, with discounts offered to students, teachers, seniors, members of the military—past and present—and groups of eight or more.

For more information, visit santamonicaplayhouse.com/jewsr2muchfun.html or call the box office at 310-394-9779, ext 1.