SAN DIEGO — During Passover, 2018, The San Diego REP premiered Beachtown, a fun, interactive town hall-style theatrical experience. Inspired by Pittsburgh’s Beertown, Playwright-in-Residence Herb Siguenza filled Beachtown with a cast of funny, relatable characters like the hip, surfing mayor, Steve Novak (Jason Heil) and an outspoken right-wing “journalist” Damon Haynes (TJ Johnson). Interactive by nature, I can’t think of a better show to transition to today’s Zoom format. Hungry for some live theatre, over 130 “Beachtonians” zoomed in to participate.
Salomon Maya plays Council Member Ramos-Liebowitz, a Jewish Latino who keeps reminding us that he is running for mayor against the incumbent this fall. As a staunch conservative, he wants to “jump-start the economy” and damn the risks to public health. He is countered by Sandra Ruiz as the liberal-activist Council Member, Gloria Ramirez. As her district has been the hardest hit by the current pandemic, she is determined to keep the public safe. She feels passionately that the all Beachtonians should heed the warnings of medical professionals and base their decisions on science, not greed.
For medical input, they brought in Dr. Shirin Shirini … a podiatrist.
This week’s meeting was about how to enforce mask-wearing and social distancing as we re-open parks and beaches. Good luck with that.
Damon Haynes highly recommended one way to ensure physical distancing. He goes naked. Nobody gets anywhere near him. I know TJ. His art is imitating his life there.
For those who wished to add their two cents, there’s a “raise your hand” button in Zoom. And there are a few well-placed shills in the house. It’s a clever concept making the most of our current situation. The REP is producing these Beachtown shows on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
To join the town hall, get your zoom link at www.sdrep.org.
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Eric George Tauber is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. He may be contacted via eric.tauber@sdjewishworld.com