As a seasoned gamer who has seen more than his fair share of virtual battles and real-life debates, I can confidently say that “timeliness” is a term that has always intrigued me. Take for instance, the comedy show “Just for Us”, which, despite its inception in 2018, still felt timely due to its themes of antisemitism and prejudice. However, when it hit the US stages in December 2021, the concern about being outdated was palpable.
Until this year, I worried about Just for Us‘ timeliness.
For our benefit, if you haven’t already, there’s a comedy show titled “Just for Us” that revolves around me, a Jew, infiltrating a meeting of white nationalists located in Queens. Eventually, they become aware of my true identity. This production has enjoyed a prosperous journey, moving from one English-speaking comedy scene to another, eventually securing a spot on Broadway last summer and landing with Max this April. However, during its birth in 2018, I was still quite fresh from the event that inspired it, and I performed it at various small theaters, pubs above shoe stores, or any venue willing to host me.
And coupled with the praise (faint!) was the word “timely.”
Do you recall the year 2018? The Thai children were rescued from a cave and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married. Additionally, there were recent events such as the Charlottesville protests and the Tree of Life synagogue shooting, which made the term “timely” applicable. However, the topic is quite evergreen, meaning that it could be relevant to various time periods. For instance, a comedy show dealing with antisemitism would have been topical in 2018, but it could also be pertinent in the 1960s, or even the 1400s. Whenever someone used the word “timely” as a compliment for a performance, I often found myself fighting the urge to express my skepticism.
However, when the production of this show premiered in the United States for the first time, it was quite a different story. Specifically, it was December 2021. Prior to this, I had wasted a significant portion of 2019 working on a brief Netflix series that many might have missed, and the subsequent 18 months leading up to our New York opening were spent in isolation, learning about sourdough starters. At that point, timing was a pressing issue.
Two days prior to our initial preview, I posed a question to my director, Adam Brace: “Suppose it’s a time capsule? Suppose the tone seems outdated?” My concern was that, given the current state of political tension, a comedy performance featuring someone peacefully enjoying a muffin amidst bigoted viewpoints might appear quaint (at best) or offensive (worst case scenario). In the play, as in real life, I didn’t engage much in physical confrontations with white nationalists. Instead, I chose to listen more because I felt it was unlikely that I could change their minds, and also due to my curiosity and fear.
Adam, taking a sip from his beer, assured us, “I believe everything will work out.” Indeed, we both were partaking in the beverage. He went on to say, “It’s common for individuals to encounter situations where their views might be perceived as offensive, even by those who are close to them, like family members.” His words resonated with us. In our interactions with our audiences, we observed something intriguing. People were captivated by the topics we discuss casually, such as on Twitter, but they were more drawn to how we engage with each other. The term “timely” was replaced by “empathetic.” During one of our last live performances in March, a young girl asked me how she could communicate with her friend who held strong, controversial opinions about Israel and Palestine. This question would have saddened me even if the asker hadn’t been a minor.
In the final part of “Just for Us,” the topic of where our empathy belongs is raised. I began questioning this out loud during performances in 2018, but it never seemed to be a significant focus before. However, post-show discussions have now made it a central point. If you watch the special, you’ll notice that no definitive answer was found, but perhaps the indecision is the message. It’s simple to fall into dichotomies. People can be categorized into two groups: those who prefer dichotomies and those who don’t. And those who cling to dichotomies should be cautious… or, hold on, let me rephrase that… those who favor binaries should take care, as they may inadvertently create dangerous divisions.
In this current conversation, it seems reminiscent of a YouTube show where famous people eat spicy wings and struggle not to throw up. However, finding a path through what promises to be a challenging election season without causing conflict is crucial. Even though we may triumph in superficial debates about boxing at the Olympics, award speeches, or the complexion of The Little Mermaid, we could lose something far more valuable: our capacity for empathy and mutual understanding.
Also, the moral high ground. You’re going to want the moral high ground.
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2024-08-16 23:27