Review by Mia Phillips
Beth, the one-man comedy written and performed by Marty Miller, is like hanging out with your favorite co-worker during a closing shift. As customers filter out, Miller cracks jokes about the characters who come into the restaurant and the endless amount of busywork that always needs to be done. As the shift progresses, the conversation becomes more personal. What starts light-hearted and silly gradually becomes a powerful confrontation of grief. Progressively, the stories become more intimate, lending viewers insight into the childhood that shaped Marty into everyone’s favorite server—and jewelry salesman, grocery store manager, and bridal consultant.
Miller’s late Aunt Beth is the touchstone of the play. Diversions into the restaurant business, customers from another planet, and folding napkins all circle back to a woman whose impact on Miller’s life cannot be understated. We do not learn much about the details of Aunt Beth’s life, except that she loved taking Miller to T.J. Maxx, was unfortunately sick for most of the time Miller knew her, and that she provided Miller with something invaluable in a young gay person’s life—to be seen and feel safe. Miller recalls his fond memories of the time they spent together, and his entire demeanor relaxes as if transported back to the living room when they would watch scary movies together—feeling that ease he couldn’t find with anyone else. When Miller reveals her passing, the atmosphere in the theater is no longer jovial, but emotional. Even when he’s not connecting with the audience through humor, his raw emotions laid bare are deeply touching and effective—a striking juxtaposition to how the conversation began. While Aunt Beth is not in every story, once you’re made aware of the impact she had on his life, it’s hard not to see her influence on Miller’s sense of humor, cadence, and approach to customer service.
At moments, it’s almost hard to stop laughing and keep up with the story because Miller’s delivery is so perfectly executed, deliberate, yet seemingly off the cuff. Miller has a comfortability on stage that can only be achieved after years of performing for crowds—whether that was waiting tables or selling gowns to bridal parties for their big day. His punchline delivery is so good it makes you want to leave a tip (which, thankfully, you can when you exit the theater).
Beth is performed Mondays at 7 p.m. at the Provincetown Theater, 238 Bradford St., through August 24. For tickets ($37.80) and information call 508.487.7487, go to the box office in person, Monday – Friday, 12 – 4 p.m., or visit provincetowntheater.org.
