Once in a Lifetime

Where: Edison Theater
When: Nov. 1,2 @ 8pm Nov. 3 @ 2 pm

How much: $8 with WU ID, $12 for everyone else.

Call (314) 935-6543 for more information

Washington University’s Performing Arts Department sure knows how to put on a show. Last Friday, in a glamorous style worthy of Hollywood, it presented the opening night of Once in a Lifetime at Edison Theatre to a packed audience. The lights dimmed, the nickelodeon played, and the extravaganza begun.
Once in a Lifetime was the first in a series of successful collaborations between established playwright George Kaufman and the young Moss Hart, then unknown. This 1930s satire was aimed directly at the heart of Hollywood, which in the ’30s was caught up with the “talkies” that would revolutionize the entire movie industry.
The PAD’s production retains all the wit and sardonic humor of the original production as it follows the story of three washed-up vaudeville stage actors-May, Jerry and George-who set out from NYC for Hollywood, armed only with dreams of striking it big and $628. They compare the possibilities of their journey to those of the 1849 Gold Rush, blissfully forgetting that most of the 49ers failed in their pursuit of riches. With luck, however, their hopes of opening up a semi-bogus “school of elocution and voice culture” soon materializes and comedy ensues as they are thrust headlong into a world of smoke, mirrors, starving artists, and big stars with larger-than-life personalities.
The play’s minimal set works very well, complementing but not overpowering the other elements of the show. It grows with the story, becoming more lavish as the play, and the characters themselves, become more and more “Hollywood.” However, it never takes over the stage, rather leaving that to the large cast of colorful characters.
Once in a Lifetime is indeed reputed for its considerable cast size (this production called for over 40 cast members, some of them double or triple cast). At curtain call, this overwhelming cast size was clear when the actors had to retreat up-stage in order to make room for everyone for the final all-cast bow. But it is these characters – the cigarette girl, the chauffeur, the bellboy who dreams of being a singer – who create a believable representation of Hollywood on the stage and infuse it with personality and depth.
Indeed, the show does an amazing job of making Tinsel town come alive. This production transports audience members back to the 1930s – right down to little touches like the creative use of black-and-white film shorts during scene changes. The excesses of this town are readily apparent in the costumes and makeup characters wear – always big and bold, with bright colors designed to attract attention and keep it there. The phrase “all that glitters” is given new meaning as one watches the array of high-brow actresses glide across the stage, their gaudy dresses and jewels catching the light and the imagination.
Into this atmosphere come May, Jerry and George. Pironne Yousefzadeh, who plays May, does a great job of making her character a sarcastic, but lovable one. For 1930s, her character is a model of the strong and determined working woman. Despite this, she does not hide her affections for Jerry, played by Ryan Howe. Jerry, however, is caught up in the excitement of getting grounded in the shaky Hollywood scene. May’s sharp rationality is offset by the quirky traits of George, played by Nick Choksi, a slow-witted actor who nonetheless manages to crack the secret to gaining power in Hollywood. Nick Choksi, a recognizable WU actor and member of Mama’s Pot Roast, does a magnificent job of bringing George’s innocent comedy to life/
Then there are the over-the-top celebrities that control the big screen. Hollywood gossip columnist Helen Hobart, played by Erica Nagel, describes herself to May by saying, “You know I always could write, May, but I never expected to be the Helen Hobart – ha ha (imagine the most snobbish “Hey buffy” laugh you can)!” Her not so modest description is no understatement as she uses her position to introduce the trio to such influential people as Herman Glogauer, head of Glogauer Studios (comparable to FOX and MGM Studios), played by Dan Hirsh. Hirsh dominates the stage from each entrance with a booming voice and wild and expressive hand gestures that can only be compared to Lewis Black from Comedy Central’s The Daily Show.
Also thrown into the mix is would-be actress (and country bumpkin) Susan Walker- a young girl with no talent, and not much brains, but an innocence that makes her a polar opposite to the other characters in the play – played by Jennifer Losi. Losi, a fifth-year senior, has the gift of a young fa‡ade allowing this talented actress to performed fun, younger roles.
Just like the town of big stars and bright lights it portrays, the first act keeps a continuous pace, never once breaking momentum. Unfortunately, as the play progresses it loses some energy – although this is not the fault of the actors so much as the material they had to work with. Some of the quick scenes with numerous actors are confusing and disconnected and the comic bits wind down towards the third act. In classic Kaufman-Hart fashion, however, the finale is a grand one.
Once in a Lifetime may not be as rare an experience as the title suggests, but it takes audience members on a walk down a red carpet filled with comedy, satire and wit.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 29th, 2002 at 12:00 pm and is filed under Cadenza. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.