The Canadian Holiday Monday (Thanksgiving) “Nobody-Asked-Me-To, But-Here-I-Go-Go-Anyway” Event Review: Viagara Falls, starring Bernie Kopell, Lou Cutell, and Teresa Ganzel.
(or, Why I Will NEVER Be A Professional Event Reviewer…)
You know, dinner theatre is an oft-maligned form of live theatre, and I’ve never really understood why. We’ve seen live, professional theatre all across North America, and many of the dinner theatre productions we’ve taken in have been as good as anything else out there. Sure, there’s no helicopter landing on a dinner theatre stage, or an entire savannah of Africa springing to life, but the intimate setting offered (along with a hearty buffet) can make for a memorable night out. Plus, I’ve never really trusted some of those African savannah animals – how safe is a theatre filled with lions??
Consider last night. Mrs. That Dan Guy and I, along with visiting family members, took in the Stage West production of Viagara Falls, and apparently a near sell-out audience decided to attend as well. This turnout, on a holiday Sunday that probably should have seen them all back at home with their families (we couldn’t shake ours – every time we climbed in the car, they hopped right in themselves), cooking turkeys.
At any rate, the reward for sacrificing turkey overdose dinner with loved ones was a wonderful, funny play, with a veteran cast that appeared to have a lot of fun onstage. Not only did we get to see Bernie Kopell, the former star of TV’s Love Boat, but the other male lead was a substitute, played by the play’s actual co-author, Lou Cutell. He was a hoot and a holler as Kopell’s pal, trying to coax his long-time buddy into going a little wild, partaking along with him in a little blue pencil-leadening pill, and calling over a call girl. OK, so it wasn’t The Helen Keller Story, but we were there after laughs, for Pete’s sake…
The last three stars of the production last night were Teresa Ganzel, and her mighty obvious girls. Collectively, the call girl. The final half of the play centred around the interaction between the five of them, and lead to the “twist” - the surprise ending. A sort of tragi-comic ending, but I’ve probably already said too much, even with just that. Forget I said anything. Just know that after about 90 minutes, the show ends, and your check will arrive. Tip your waitress and go back home.
We laughed, some of us cried, and I think I piled just about enough fresh strawberries into my jacket pocket to make a shortcake tomorrow morning. Man, I love my buffets…
I’d recommend this Viagara Falls show to anyone – even more so if the three of them are attached to the project. Kopell may have been the drawing card, but co-stars Cutell and Ganzel are no slouches themselves. Cutell has a long list of TV and movie credits, including Seinfeld, Will & Grace, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Young Frankenstein, and much more. Ganzel has been on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Love Boat, plus a raft of movies.
At press time, there were no credits available for “the girls”.
Eight big thumbs up!!
Chow for now!!
(or, Why I Will NEVER Be A Professional Event Reviewer…)
You know, dinner theatre is an oft-maligned form of live theatre, and I’ve never really understood why. We’ve seen live, professional theatre all across North America, and many of the dinner theatre productions we’ve taken in have been as good as anything else out there. Sure, there’s no helicopter landing on a dinner theatre stage, or an entire savannah of Africa springing to life, but the intimate setting offered (along with a hearty buffet) can make for a memorable night out. Plus, I’ve never really trusted some of those African savannah animals – how safe is a theatre filled with lions??
Consider last night. Mrs. That Dan Guy and I, along with visiting family members, took in the Stage West production of Viagara Falls, and apparently a near sell-out audience decided to attend as well. This turnout, on a holiday Sunday that probably should have seen them all back at home with their families (we couldn’t shake ours – every time we climbed in the car, they hopped right in themselves), cooking turkeys.
At any rate, the reward for sacrificing turkey overdose dinner with loved ones was a wonderful, funny play, with a veteran cast that appeared to have a lot of fun onstage. Not only did we get to see Bernie Kopell, the former star of TV’s Love Boat, but the other male lead was a substitute, played by the play’s actual co-author, Lou Cutell. He was a hoot and a holler as Kopell’s pal, trying to coax his long-time buddy into going a little wild, partaking along with him in a little blue pencil-leadening pill, and calling over a call girl. OK, so it wasn’t The Helen Keller Story, but we were there after laughs, for Pete’s sake…
The last three stars of the production last night were Teresa Ganzel, and her mighty obvious girls. Collectively, the call girl. The final half of the play centred around the interaction between the five of them, and lead to the “twist” - the surprise ending. A sort of tragi-comic ending, but I’ve probably already said too much, even with just that. Forget I said anything. Just know that after about 90 minutes, the show ends, and your check will arrive. Tip your waitress and go back home.
We laughed, some of us cried, and I think I piled just about enough fresh strawberries into my jacket pocket to make a shortcake tomorrow morning. Man, I love my buffets…
I’d recommend this Viagara Falls show to anyone – even more so if the three of them are attached to the project. Kopell may have been the drawing card, but co-stars Cutell and Ganzel are no slouches themselves. Cutell has a long list of TV and movie credits, including Seinfeld, Will & Grace, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Young Frankenstein, and much more. Ganzel has been on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Love Boat, plus a raft of movies.
At press time, there were no credits available for “the girls”.
Eight big thumbs up!!
Chow for now!!
4 comments:
Now I get it..you were trying to ditch us which is why we had six different "pit stops".....
As for the show, it was awesome, glad we enjoyed it with you guys!
ps..whenever I leave a comment, your home blog page disappears and the comments page shows up in two locations?? Just sayin......
We just weren't sneaky enough, plus our guilty conscience wouldn't allow us to strand you guys.
Who am I kidding? We couldn't leave once we got to the "pit stops"...
As for the technical issues, this I blame on Vista, even though you don't use it.
HA HA! I just knew there would be a Vista comment there.
..........mac attack.......
Vista is responsible for global warming, and orangutan habitat destruction...
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