Meet the Cast: Alex Marz

It is our great pleasure to introduce to you the four young actors who will be starring in SpeakEasy Stage Company’s New England Premiere production of BAD JEWS, running Oct. 24 – Nov. 29.

The play, which The New York Times called “the best comedy of the season” focuses on the battle between two cousins, Liam and Daphna, for ownership of a coveted family heirloom. Also in the fray are Liam’s brother Jonah and Liam’s girlfriend Melody.

Here, actor Alex Marz talks about playing the reluctant peacekeeper, Jonah.

How would you describe your character?

Jonah is a peacekeeper, or at least he tries to be. He is quiet and shy.  He knows he is not as smart or eloquent as his brother Liam or his cousin Daphna, and would rather let the rest of his family argue it out than get involved himself. However, just because he doesn’t always speak up, doesn’t mean he doesn’t care. He has an opinion about everything but often struggles to find the words to voice his argument.

What parallels can you draw between you and Jonah?

Jonah and I are definitely very similar. He is a good kid trying to make sense of what is going on around him without taking an immediate and irrevocable stance.  However, I would say that I am a little more outspoken than Jonah. Oh, and we both like video games.

As the only Jewish member of the cast,  do you think you see this piece differently than your fellow cast members?

No, I wouldn’t say that I see this piece any differently than any of my fellow castmates. Nor would I say any audience member will view this play differently than another audience member just because of their beliefs or customs. This play is about one family’s experience with the tragic loss of their grandfather, and the sensitivities that arise when dividing up personal items that carry significant weight within the family. Obviously, their religion comes into play, but I would argue that this story could just as easily be about any other religion or belief system.

Has playing a character so close to your own age been challenging or has it made connecting to your character easier?

I would say that the similarity in ages between Jonah and me has made finding the connection easier. I feel like Jonah is a very realistic depiction of the modern, college-age introvert. He experiences things through observation and forms personal opinions without needing to draw attention. As a twenty-something who is also trying to figure out his surroundings, I definitely relate to Jonah.

What is your favorite quote from the play (from any character) and why?

That would have to be Liam’s line when he is describing his girlfriend Melody:  “she is a song I can’t stop singing.”  It’s so horribly cheesy that you have to scoff at it until you realize that he is completely serious. I love the honesty in that line.