It’s a new year and there is one question on everyone’s mind. What show is the must see show of 2007? Why it’s Archbold Community Theatre’s production of Beau Jest, of course.

This James Sherman romantic comedy focuses on the life of Sarah Goldman (Faith Miller, Bryan). She is a young woman who continuously struggles with finding a balance between pleasing her Jewish parents (Bill Phelps, Archbold and Karen Grieser, Hamilton, IN) and following her heart.

Sarah is in love with her boyfriend, Chris Cringle (Clayton Matthews, Pettisville). Her parents are adamant about her dating (and eventually marrying) a nice Jewish boy. Obviously, Chris is not Jewish. Instead of telling her parents the truth, she decides to hide their relationship and invents a Jewish boyfriend.

So when Sarah’s parents hound her about meeting him, she hires Bob Schroeder (Theron Steinke, Bryan) from a local escort service for what she thinks will be a one-time performance for her family. But just as the doorbell rings with the arrival of her parents and brother, Joel (Mitchell Owens, Bryan), Sarah discovers that Bob isn’t Jewish either. He does have a Jewish sounding last name, but Bob’s only Jewish knowledge was acquired while acting in a touring production of Fiddler on the Roof. What started as a one-time performance turns into multiple productions as Bob becomes “a member of the family.”

This comedy is directed by Kim Semer of Bryan. Her assistant directors are Ed Mooney of Continental and Crystal Bowers of Bryan. Performance dates for Beau Jest are February 23, 24 and March 2, 3, at 8:00 PM. March 4 at 2:30 PM at Giffey Hall, Ridgeville Corners, OH. Dinner theatres are February 24 & March 3 with the dinner beginning at 6:30 PM. For tickets, please call Patti at (419) 267-5717. This is a show you will not want to miss!