Irreverence, quirkiness shines in The Book of Liz

Director senior Michelle Burce deems her show The Book of Liz, playing at the Cabaret Theatre in Hutchinson Hall, an “irreverent fable.”

Written by Amy and David Sedaris, it is no wonder that this highly satirical comedy tempers irreverence with wit, dry humor and sheer quirkiness.

Produced by the Undergraduate Theatre Society, The Book of Liz tells the story of the Amish-like Squeamish community living in Cluster Haven. After the collapse of their sister-parish Dovetail, Cluster Haven’s Reverend Tollhouse welcomes Brother Brightbee into their town.

Sister Elizabeth Donderstock runs the community’s main export and economic base of cheese balls (available in smoky and traditional — with an earthy boldness). However, she questions her usefulness and becomes devastated when Brightbee takes over her culinary responsibilities. In lieu of accepting a position harvesting chives, the renegade Elizabeth runs away and embarks on an epic journey that forever changes her traditional upbringing and values.

First working as a symbol of good will for the Mr. Peanut Corporation in a giant peanut costume, then dancing to a crazy rave remix of “Amazing Grace” as a waitress at a pilgrim-themed diner, Elizabeth lives with a Ukranian couple, soon-to-be deported for a parking ticket.

In the end, Elizabeth comes to a decision about life and discovers the answer to her quest for purpose. The play closes having come full circle, with everyone better off.

In the black-box theatre, junior Jenna Ulrich’s set designs beautifully create a rural farm kitchen-themed diner, Ukranian trailer and a doctor’s office. Lighting directs attention to appropriate settings, and the actors bring with them the necessary atmosphere, rendering each believable.

The costumes by Markie Miller are beautiful, spanning between conservative farm clothes and a plastic foam Mr. Peanut costume. The actors themselves show similar versatility: everyone, except the excellently innocent and charming Elizabeth, plays multiple roles.

Particularly wonderful is the actress playing Sister Butterworth. As a Squeamish, she exhibits a shrill quirkiness and intense humor; playing a doctor, she later brings irony and sexiness to alcoholism. Equally scene-stealing is Oxana, the Ukranian first seen dancing roadside dressed as a peanut.

The play is truly irreverent, poking fun at Alcoholics Anonymous members, expanded social horizons, homosexuality, the religiously conservative and the question of what a breakfast burrito really is.

Book-ended between different versions of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and studded with well-chosen music, The Book of Liz is full of laughs and visual entertainment. It runs Thursday through Sunday through March 9th. Tickets are available at the door or at www.brownpapertickets.com and are $10 for the general public, $7 for non-UW students and $5 for UW students.