FUNNY GIRL, SERIOUS STAKES
In the world premiere of The Beverly Hills Hotel Peace Talks, now running at Coachella Valley Repertory, playwright Gregg Ostrin (The Spy Who Went Into Rehab) blends political farce, nostalgic Hollywood glamor, and razor-sharp insight into an unexpectedly moving comedy that feels as timely as tomorrow’s headlines. Directed with elegance and restraint by Randy Brenner, this smart, sophisticated play mines a real 1968 international controversy for theatrical gold — and the result is a poignant reminder that diplomacy, like storytelling, requires courage, compromise, and a little bit of chutzpah.
Olivia Coen, Josh Breslow, Geri-Nikole Love, Ali Zahiri
The premise is ripe with intrigue: When the infamous kissing scene between Omar Sharif and Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl sparks political outrage in Egypt and Israel, studio executive Shellie (played with just the right mix of desperation and slick charm by Josh Breslow) brings diplomats from both countries to The Beverly Hills Hotel to negotiate peace… if only for the sake of the movie.
Ali Zahiri, Josh Breslow, Olivia Coen
Breslow anchors the show with great comic chops, portraying Shellie as a man teetering between moral conviction and bottom-line obsession. His chemistry with Geri-Nikole Love as Freddie, his shrewd and endlessly capable secretary, crackles with energy. Love is a standout, delivering sharp one-liners and grounding the absurdity with emotional honesty. Her Freddie is the moral compass of the play—smart, stylish, and unfailingly human.
Ali Zahiri & Olivia Coen
As the diplomatic odd couple, Olivia Zane Coen (Dalia) and Ali Zahiri (Rami) bring complexity and grace to what could easily have been archetypes. Coen plays the Israeli diplomat with intellect and quiet vulnerability, while Zahiri’s Rami is measured, dignified, and unexpectedly funny. Together, they create a dynamic that transcends the premise, portraying not just political representatives, but full, flawed, and fascinating human beings. Their final scene—a blend of humor, heartbreak, and hesitant hope—is one of the evening’s most powerful moments.
The cast
Brenner wisely keeps the pace brisk and the tone buoyant, even as the play ventures into deeper emotional territory. His staging allows the characters to clash and connect without melodrama, making the stakes feel real without losing the levity. Visually, Jimmy Cuomo’s set—a stylish yet slightly faded suite at the Beverly Hills Hotel—evokes old Hollywood glamour.
Josh Breslow & Geri-Nikole Love
While Ostrin wrote the play before the tragic events of October 7, the geopolitical resonance is impossible to ignore. Yet this isn’t a play about governments or policies—it’s about people. The Beverly Hills Hotel Peace Talks dares to suggest that progress might begin in the unlikeliest of places: a hotel room, a film set, a conversation between two people who choose to listen.
Olivia Coen, Josh Breslow, Geri-Nikole Love, Ali ZahiriThat hopeful heart is what elevates the piece beyond satire or political commentary. It’s a plea—cleverly disguised as comedy—for compassion, understanding, and imagination.
The Beverly Hills Hotel Peace Talks, a sharply written, beautifully acted gem, is the kind of world premiere that reminds us why new works matter. With wit, warmth, and urgent resonance, it’s a farce with feeling, a satire with soul—and it just might leave you believing in diplomacy again.
Olivia Coen & Ali Zahiri
photos by David A. Lee
The Beverly Hills Hotel Peace Talks
Coachella Valley Repertory
68510 East Palm Canyon Dr in Cathedral City
Wed & Sat at 2 & 7; Thurs & Fri at 7; Sun at 2
ends on to June 1, 2025
for tickets, call 760.296.2966 x115 or visit CV Rep
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Can tickets be bought at the door right before the performance?
Of course. If they’re not sold out…