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This 'Has Been' my favorite yearA View from the Cliff blogBY CLIFF KASDENBefore the days of reality TV, washed up movie stars were relegated to guest appearances on variety shows. Back in the 1950s, a “has- been” swashbuckler, Alan Swann (Tom Humbert), stumbles onstage for a final hurrah. As guest star on King Kaiser’s live Komedy Kavalcade, will he drive the final wedge into his fading career?
By the way, as a Peter O’Toole lookalike, Humbert makes his own mark as both charismatic clown and as a struggling soul. The BroadHollow Theatre Company at 700 Hempstead Tpke in Elmont is performing “My Favorite Year” on weekends through June 7. It’s a musical tragicomedy in which a young comedy writer Benjy Stone (Matt Sinese) gambles his own future to rescue a self destructive former superstar from appearing on 1950s live TV in a state of drunken disarray. Rescuing and/or reviving a fallen star are the stuff of today’s reality shows. Too bad only the names and years have changed. The BHT Company elevates this observation to fine art, providing a gigantic TV screen which acts as a bona fide B&W monitor when Kaiser’s show goes on the air. Lovely Jennifer Hope plays irreverent comedy writer Alice Miller and performs an incredible slapstick song and dance schtick with Kaiser (Gary Tifeld) and several young dancers. Outstanding! Benjy’s eccentric family includes cluelessly uninhibited mama Belle May Steinberg (Joan Rubinstein), her punch drunk husband Rookie Carroca (David Groeger), aunt Sadie (Pat Dillon) and uncle Morty (Gary Milenko). Queens favorite Michael Wolf portrays another comedy writer Herb Lee who has switched to a stage whisper in protest against the backstabbing head writer. Director Laura Wallace-Rhodes is no stranger to Queens stages. Tonight she earns kudos as BHT’s director. Choreographer Kevin Wallace, Scenic Designer Brian Howard and costumes by Joan King, not to intentionally exclude many others, deserve note. The dancers, singers, orchestra, supporting players and backstage anchors also deserve a special bow. It wasn’t that long ago when just a few venues were available to “also rans” and “used to be’s.” Now the options seem endless. Do you miss the days when quality was assured since more performers vied for fewer means of media exposure? Let me know! In the meantime get tix for “My Favorite Year” by calling (516) 775-4420 or surfing to www.broadhollow.org. The troupe’s next show is just weeks away—a musical version of the classic “Little Women.” As always, save me a seat on the aisle. |
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of queenscourier.com.
laura wrote on May 30, 2009 1:26 PM:
" Cliff: This is a well-written "blog" review of My Favorite Year. We can't thank you enough for your review. Wonderful that you made the quantum leap to reality TV of today with respect to our attempt to bring everyone back to 1954. We look forward to seeing more of you at The BroadHollow Theatre at Elmont. I will save you a seat on the aisle any time you and your editors want to sample our wares. Thanks again. Laura "
Gail E. wrote on May 31, 2009 4:40 PM:
" I have mixed feelings about the reality shows that showcase former stars and "has-beens." In some cases, such as "Dancing With The Stars," old talents work hard for a chance to become fresh and new again. In other cases, the washed-up celebs do little more than embarrass themselves and sink careers that have pretty much already drowned. "
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