A Sequel That’s More Slow Gist Than ‘Beau Jest’

What’s worse than Abie marrying his Irish Rose? Maybe Abie finding love with a nice Jewish boy.

James Sherman’s “Jest a Second” is a sequel to his very popular comedy “Beau Jest,” a sort of rerun of Anne Nichols’ long-running 1922 Broadway hit, “Abie’s Irish Rose.” In Sherman’s version, Sarah, who is Jewish, hires a Gentile actor to play her Jewish doctor fiance and, of course, winds up marrying him.

In Sherman’s sequel, at Long Beach Playhouse’s Studio Theatre, Sarah and Bob have been married a year, and her therapist brother, Joel, is about to announce his engagement to Randy to their parents. But Randy is not the nice Jewish pediatrician they expect. Joel is coming out after his divorce and wants to present his nice Jewish male pediatrician.

As Bob pretended, for the parents’ sake, to be someone else in “Beau Jest,” to help his brother-in-law he pretends to be the female Randy in an attempt to fool the folks.

“Jest a Second” is not as good as the original play; it feels as if it were dashed off, as many sequels do.

The comic possibilities, too, are fewer, unless you find hilarity in men in drag. Most of the gags were used in “Beau Jest.” Also, the script is dramaturgically sloppy.

This is the sort of affair requiring actors who can give it a shot in the arm, helping its audience suspend much disbelief. This cast gives its best. The same can’t be said for Warren Davis’ direction, which is pallid. Tempos are sluggish, and the action stays on one note, sacrificing laughs.

*

What brightness there is shines from the performances of Esther Hersh and Murray Rubin as Sarah’s parents. Though their roles are written stereotypically, both actors catch on to the colorful cadences and, especially Hersh, usually get their laughs.

Heidi Jo Corey as Sarah and Tim Diamond as Bob are very good, even when Diamond is in drag. He’s taller than anyone in the cast, requiring another suspension of disbelief here, but he pulls it off.

As Sarah’s closeted brother, Joel, James A. Rice believably limns a therapist much in need of therapy, and Dan Romain’s restraint as Dr. Rosen is admirable.

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* “Jest a Second,” Studio Theatre, Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St. Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Ends April 17. $12-$15. (562) 494-1616. Running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes.

Heidi Jo Corey: Sarah

Tim Diamond: Bob

James A. Rice: Joel

Esther Hersh: Miriam

Murray Rubin: Abe

Dan Romain: Dr. Rosen

A Long Beach Playhouse production of James Sherman’s comedy. Directed by Warren Davis. Scenic design: Steve Grodt. Lighting design: Samantha Swain. Costume design: Donna Fritsche. Technical direction: Rand Hudson. Assistant director/stage manager: Arin Johnson.