Harry & Eddie: The Birth of Israel

The title of Mark Weston's docudrama is somewhat deceptive, suggesting that the emphasis will be on President Harry S. Truman rather than his friend and business partner Eddie Jacobson. In addition, the founding of the Jewish nation-state in 1948 isn't taken up until late in the play. The 90-minute work starts with Rick Grossman's Jacobson addressing a B'nai B'rith meeting about his relationship with Truman, leading up to the birth of Israel. Because of the longtime bond between the title characters—they were both from Independence, Mo., served in World War I together, and opened a haberdashery in their hometown—Jacobson persuades Truman to give an audience to Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann, who in turn persuades the president to recognize the new country.

Weston's script alternates between long monologues from Jacobson and flashbacks, with Daniel Hicks as the feisty chief executive and Lydia Gladstone as Eddie's devoted wife, Bluma. The playwright has his heart in the right place, and there is the potential to tell uncomfortable truths about America's ambivalent attitude toward its Jewish population through the friendship between the gentile Truman and the Jewish Jacobson. The most powerful scenes involve Truman making what would now be considered anti-Semitic remarks and Jacobson explaining to the audience that his buddy is anything but prejudiced. But Weston fails to develop this theme, relying too heavily on cute anecdotes and tired jokes about Yiddish expressions and Truman's fondness for profanity. Plus, try as hard as he might, Weston fails to convince that Jacobson's role in the founding of Israel was more than tangential. The real fascinating story—Weizmann's—takes place offstage.

Bob Spiotto's direction is a stop-and-start affair, failing to achieve an even pace, mostly due to Josh Iacovelli's inflexible low-budget set, meant to convey multiple settings. Grossman deserves credit for delivering reams of text with minimal flubs, but he doesn't make Jacobson a compelling figure or passionately convey the character's objective: to contribute in any way he can to the creation of a Jewish homeland. Hicks nails Truman's explosive determination and personality, but Weston has made him a minor character. Gladstone, who also designed the period costumes, barely registers as Bluma.

Presented by Jessimeg Productions at St. Luke's Theatre, 308 W. 46th St., NYC. Opened Sept. 8 for an open run. Wed. and Sun., 2 p.m.; Thu., 8 p.m. (212) 239-6200, (800) 432-7250, or www.telecharge.com.