There's scant more enjoyable than a heaping bowl of fresh popcorn, a big screen TV and a marathon night of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. Usually one has to tune in to the Hallmark Channel for such an event, but now, you can head to the Greenway Court Theatre in Los Angeles.
Once there, you’re submerged in '50s splendor. The lobby is decorated and is hence part of the set. The house manager is clad in period costume. The entire affair is a trip back in time to when people paid glorious and meticulous attention to how they appeared.
Evinced are clothes and décor of crimson and arylide and green and baby pink. Yet, these colors, in their ever-presence, form a delicious irony, since the TV show I Love Lucy aired in black and white.
Once inside the theater, there is a continued, rich display of theatrical elements – from gorgeous costumes culled and crafted by Shon LeBlanc, to vigorous music arranged by Wayne Moore (including some originals by Peitor Angell), to an economical yet lovely set complete with colossal, old cameras and other remnants of Hollywood lore designed by Aaron Henderson.
And the performances are solid.
Sirena Irwin, as Lucy, is terrific. She captures so many of Lucille Ball’s idiosyncrasies without coming off as mere mimic, and she absolutely mirrors Ball's sharp timing.
Bill Mendieta is a natural Ricky. While Mendieta could arguably be a more elegant crooner and sprightlier dancer, his sincerity and charm are on point.
Bill Chott is a perfect Fred Mertz, and Lisa Joffrey is an effortless Ethel.
Tom Christensen offers a stand-out performance as King Katt Walsh, highlighting both his wit and jitterbug skills. Amy Tolsky is sublime and infectious as an audience member and game show contestant. And the accompanying ensemble of singers, dancers, faux fans, et al, is a delight.
The only missing element in this 90-minute musical is perhaps an intermission during which one might indulge whole hog in vintage food, vintage clothes, other vintage merch (there is some modern merchandise on hand before and after the show) and the opportunity to lollygag in front of a generous array of authentic props and costumes from the actual television show.
Executive producers David George and Steve Kahn did travel with the road show "I Love Lucy 50th Anniversary Experience" for two years, starting in 2001, showcasing full-size replicated sets and memorabilia. Oh, that they might extend that nostalgia fest into an intermission!
Also missing, debatably, is a story arc culminating with catharsis.
This play is meant to be a mock TV taping, yes, with theater audience serving as studio audience and cast of actors splayed about and disquised as audience members, producers and crew.
And this mock show consists of two distinct episodes that demonstrate the humor, timing and dramatic irony unrivaled by most modern sitcoms; several well-executed musical numbers, including commercials for products such as Brylcreem and Alka-Seltzer (though they are spelled differently, perhaps for trademark reasons); and some fun and kitschy talk from talented and charismatic studio host Mark Christopher Tracy.
But this mock show contains no central story to follow distinct from the serial episodes to enjoy.
There is no allegorical narrative-within-a-narrative that reveals something we don't yet know about behind-the-scenes Desi and Lucy. After all, one goes to a live taping (or, in the case of "I Love Lucy," filming) of a favorite TV show to see a bit of what goes on when the cameras go off.
Undoubtedly, this absence is because co-adapters Rick Sparks and Kim Flagg procured permission from CBS to use episodes but not biographical material about the show's stars.
Still, I craved a climax.
But, despite any minor, unsatiated wants of mine at the premiere performance, my smile stretched from ear to ear throughout. I didn't want this blithe sensory feast to ease.
"I Love Lucy Live On Stage," co-adapted by Rick Sparks and Kim Flagg and directed by Rick Sparks, plays at the Greenway Court Theatre 544 N. Fairfax Los Angeles 90036 through December 30.
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