If you're in need of a good belly laugh, Neil Simon's comedy "The Sunshine Boys" at Waterfront Playhouse might be just what the doctor ordered. The play, produced by Key West Players, is perhaps the most endearing of this Tony Award-winning playwright's works, which include "Lost in Yonkers" and "The Odd Couple.
Directed by Phil Setren, the Sunshine Boys opened last night and runs through April 21. Set in New York City the 1970s, the Sunshine Boys is a timeless hit which has delighted audiences consistently for decades. It tells the story of retired Vaudeville comedians, Willie Clark (played by George Gugleotti) and Al Lewis (Joe DeLuca), as Willie's nephew and talent agent Ben (Jeff Baskin) struggles to reunite them for a CBS television special, "The History of Comedy."
Though they were inseparable show-biz partners for 43 years, Lewis and Clark had an artistic feud 11 years ago and haven't spoken since. The reunion is both hilarious and touching.
"We want the audience to experience that glorious era in American stage," says Setren. Theatergoers will be treated to tap dancing, jugglers, piano tunes, and vaudeville-like poster art.
Director Setren says casting was right on the money. "George Gugleotti and Joe DeLuca were naturals for this show," he says. The cast also features Mira Negron, Tommie Grimstadt, Larry Cohen, Jennifer Naugler, Paul L. Garder, Scott Gilmore, and Dennis Hyland. Setren called upon New York actor Jeff Baskin to play Ben.
Performances are Tuesday through Saturday nights at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.
Info and reservations: 294-5015.
SOLAZO IS BACK— The South American band will perform in concert tomorrow night,
Saturday, March 31, 8 p.m. Critics have described their music as "moving fluidly from flamenco to mambo,
creating a rare blend of Latin folk and dance music." The event will benefit Womankind Inc., a new
prevention-focused health care center for women. Tickets are $20 and are available at Sam Goody,
Kindred Spirits, and Open Minded in Key West, at Blue Moon Trader in Big Pine, and at the door. There will be
a reception at 7, celebrating the recent opening of Womankind.
"A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To the Forum," this season's last production at the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center, opened last night and runs through April 7. "Forum" is one of Broadway's most brilliantly conceived musical comedies. Inspired by the plays of the second century B.C. playwright, Plautus, the perfectly constructed book is by Larry Gelbart (of MASH fame) and Bert Shevelove with a witty score by Stephen Sondheim. Forum is a wonderful escape from life's troubles, and is gloriously free of serious moments.
As the opening number states: "Tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight!" The pace is lightening quick, the tone is witty and irreverent and is based in the comic tradition of burlesque and vaudeville. The comic momentum builds through a series of hilarious complications and then speeds its way on to the hysterical conclusion.