By Rachel DeChiara ’13, Arts & Entertainment Editor

It’s always been strange to think that teachers might actually have lives outside of school. So when Mr. Jacoby told me that he was involved in a production at the Chatham Community Playhouse, I could not refuse the chance to watch him perform. The show, entitled “Beyond Therapy,” revolves around a group of six delightfully maladjusted adults residing in New York City during the 1980s. The Chatham Community Playhouse has been presenting plays and musicals since 1922. They perform 3-4 shows a year. All actors are volunteers and range in ability and experience; the playhouse employs professional directors to achieve the best possible product.

On May 20^th, Mr. Jacoby performed in his penultimate appearance as Stuart, an unprofessional, inappropriate, and hysterical therapist. The audience was filled with familiar faces, including Dr. DiBianca, Mr. Huber, Ms. Tavares, Ms. Spooner, Jesse Friedman ’10, and last year’s artist-in-residence, Thomas Bradshaw ’98.  Each had the rare pleasure of seeing Mr. Jacoby in what was, quite frankly, a promiscuous and raunchy role. Many members of Mr. Jacoby’s IB Theatre and Acting Skills classes also had the honor the week the before.

Some of Mr. Jacoby’s most thrilling moments included getting water thrown in his face, talking about another character’s cats while simultaneously whispering cats, and hiding behind a ficus. Though Stuart is perverted and immoral, Mr. Jacoby masterfully animated him into an absurdly comical character.  Another personal favorite was the lead actress, Tara Cioletti, who played Prudence.  Altogether confused, cute, and quirky, she led the show from one delusional character to another.

Though the performance was extraordinary, it wasn’t flawless.  Cioletti accidentally knocked over a glass, which fell and spilled water onto a chair. Within 5 seconds, she knocked over a second glass, which followed the exact same pattern of falling and spilling. Unable to maintain character, she broke into laughter and covered her face with her hands.  Luckily, this mistake only added to the chaos of an already wild scene.

Mr. Jacoby definitely stood out among the other actors. The show’s other therapist, played by Donne Petito, could have been the funniest character. She carries around a stuffed Snoopy and encourages patients by going “ruff, ruff, ruff!” She is forgetful and eccentric, mixing up standard words like “patient” with “porpoise.” Unfortunately, the actress tried too hard, and didn’t have a strong sense of the audience.

After the show, I caught up with Dr. DiBianca to see what he thought.  He enjoyed the production immensely, praising it as “witty, high-energy, and certainly held together by the lead therapist, Mr. Jacoby.”  Though many have lauded his performance, Mr. Jacoby has met some harsh critics.  Steve Wilson of the Chatham Patch asserted that Mr. Jacoby did not fully complete the character, and that he did not make Stuart likable.

Though I respect the opinion of other critics, I firmly disagree with this claim. Mr. Jacoby created a bold and round character; he was a riot.  Thomas Bradshaw ’98 noted: “The scenes with Scott Jacoby were the best in the show.  Mr. Jacoby brought zest and perfect comic timing to his scenes.  I was falling out of my seat laughing!”  A famed playwright and theater artist, Bradshaw accredits much of his success to the confidence that Mr. Jacoby instilled in him.

It was an incredible experience to watch Mr. Jacoby work on stage. His dialogue was fast and upbeat.  He played the role as menacing and unethical, yet lovable and fun.  If you ever have the opportunity to see Mr. Jacoby act, do not pass it up.  He is quite the talent.