In early November, I had the pleasure of attending the opening night of Scheiss Book at the Kitchen Theatre. As I walked into the theater and found my seat, I immediately noticed the set—a toilet decorated with a fuzzy seat cover, preceded by a white carpet that flowed diagonally across the stage. A single stool had been placed along the white carpet, and a television disguised as a picture frame hung in the background.
The Kitchen Theater was a perfect place to host the show. Scheiss Book, written and performed by Liba Vaynberg, is described on the playwright’s website as a “show about very long German words you have never heard of that perfectly describe feelings you have had forever. Blending stand-up and Shakespeare, this play explores the Soviet experience and the coming of age of a neurotic Jewess.” Because of the intimate nature of the show, the Kitchen Theatre’s homey, inviting setup made the experience all the more exciting. As Vaynberg narrated her personal experience with adolescence, drama school, and family dynamics, the audience routinely engaged in her show. One audience member was asked to fold and fly a paper airplane, and another held a Hershey’s chocolate bar that Vaynberg periodically took a bite from. These seemingly small moments in the show ended up greatly shaping my perception of the show, and they are some of the moments I remember most.
Vaynberg’s performance was incredibly moving. Although most of the show played out similar to a stand-up comedy show, the theatrical moments were captivating as well. One moment that impressed me was a scene where she reenacted a scene from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. As the light dimmed, all eyes were centered on her. She spoke each line beautifully, blending the original work with her own artistic flair. I was thoroughly impressed by how modern and intimate she made the scene feel.
Overall, Scheiss Book was one of the best local shows I’ve seen in a while. With Vaynberg’s artistry and prose, the show was, well, fantastisch.