The Story:

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!!!! At least, that’s what they say at the Beth Emeth Synagogue’s Bridge Club, where each week serious and not-so-serious bridge players come to play cards, have a nosh and meet new people (WELCOME). And as fate would have it this night, Sam Baum and Mae Feinberg are partners. It’s Sam’s first time at the club and he’s there mainly to have some fun. Mae, on the other hand, is a serious player and not that happy with her new partner’s attitude (DON’T PLOTZ). However she can’t help but fall just a bissel for his humor and charm. They agree to be just friends . . . for now.

Next week at the bridge club the games get hot and heavy (BIDDING SONG). Mae seems to be falling for Sam even though he’s not very good at bridge. At lunch the next day, Mae tells her son, David, that she met this really nice man at the bridge club (SAMUEL BAUM). David is somewhat skeptical of the whole thing. After all, how could his mother be bowled over by any mere mortal man?

Meanwhile we discover that David and his wife Claire are having their usual marital difficulties (MY HAIR). OK, so the two sets of families get together to meet each other (TWO FAMILIES). It doesn’t go well. Both sets of kids do not like the whole thing. Sam and Mae point out that this reminds them of them when the kids were dating. No one was good enough for their children. But this is different. This is them!! They’re not kids like their kids were when they were kids . . . get it?

Sam’s finally going to take Mae out for the evening. Dinner and a drive. But they can’t seem to decide where to go (SPENDING TIME). Back at the bridge club, the Badchen has a commentary on the story so far. Seems everything is progressing nicely with Sam and Mae and everyone knows about it (THE POINT SONG). David has made a decision. He’s taking his inspiration from his Mom who seems to be putting her foot down about her relationship with Sam. He’s practicing a “mouse to man” speech in front of his bedroom mirror and doesn’t realize that Claire is listening. When she pipes up, he immediately reverts to his mouse-like state Vooden? (I HAVE TO WAKE UP).

Susan and David decide they need to tell their parents what’s what and intercept them at the beach, but Sam and Mae, understanding their kids’ concern, tell them to just leave them alone (WHY CAN’T YOU JUST LET US BE). Another night at the Bridge Club with some philosophical musings by the players about what it means to be Jewish. The Badchen predicts that things will go well with our two love birds (SAY OY VEY). Sam and Mae have invited all four kids over for dinner. They decide to play a little joke on them and appear to be dead when they arrive, just like Romeo and Juliet (FUNNY,FUNNY). But it doesn’t really work very well since Mae breaks out laughing as soon as Richard, Susan, Claire and David come in.

Things are getting really serious with Sam and Mae. They’re talking about . . . marriage. Mae gives David and Claire a lesson in getting along. She asks them to just try it for a week (DON’T FIGHT). David and Claire realize that they really need to work things out. Susan tells herself that she has to get used to her Pop being with Mae, and Sam and Mae wonder if the kids will ever really come around (TIME TO WORK THROUGH).

Sam explains to Susan that he deserves a little happiness at his age, a little love (BISSEL LOVE LIFE). He gets through to her and she gives her blessing on his relationship with Mae. Back at the Feinberg’s, David is asking Claire to look at the example of Sam and Mae. How love can work wonders. She agrees to try to work things out (MARRIED & HARRIED). Everything seems like it’s going to work out, but life at Beth Emeth’s bridge club must go on . . . and does, but without Sam and Mae, who are on their honeymoon (FINALE).

The story of “Say Oy Vey” is at once insightful and uplifting. Heartwarming and sidesplitting.

And in the end . . . well . . . Life Is Beautiful!!

Enjoy!!!!

Michael Lange

(Oh, and there's a Yiddish Dictionary in case you need it.)