“Bad Jews” Is Ovation Recommended! Wait, What the Heck Does “Ovation Recommended” Mean?

We don’t mean to brag, but we here at the Geffen knew our Matt Shakman-directed production of Bad Jews would be a TKO. The play, written by Joshua Harmon, takes place in a studio apartment in New York City after a family’s beloved grandfather, “Poppy,” has died. But a feud of Old Testament proportions begins when his “Super Jew” granddaughter Daphna (Molly Ephraim) and self-proclaimed “bad Jew” eldest grandson, Liam (Ari Brand), both lay claim to Poppy’s chai, a cherished heirloom. Rounding out the cast are Liam’s little brother Jonah, who just wants to be left out of the drama, and Liam’s shiksa girlfriend, a sweet but dim blond named Melody (Lili Fuller).

This week, we were notified that Bad Jews is now Ovation Recommended. So what exactly does that mean? Here’s how that status is determined:

There are 250 Ovation voters in Los Angeles. Once a production has had at least eight Ovation voters attend and cast their ballots, it is eligible to become Ovation Recommended. After that point, if at any time the average overall production score for that production rises to the level which would have placed it in the top 20% of productions for the previous Ovation Season, it will become Ovation Recommended.

Bottom line? Being “Ovation Recommended” means that the Ovation voters have placed Bad Jews in the top 20% of all productions for the 2014–2015 season. Hooray!

Haven’t caught it yet? Don’t wait much longer, the summer — and Bad Jews— won’t be here forever. Click here to purchase tickets.