THE BASICS: Buffalo United Artists (BUA) presents the U.S. Premiere of a two person, four character play about Hollywood movie stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford at the Alleyway Theatre’s Main Street Cabaret, 672 Main Street (716-886-9239, www.buffalobua.org). Enter the complex through the side door along the covered alley at the north side of Shea’s, spacious lobby, wine and water available, running Saturdays and Sundays at 7pm through August 16, 2015. Run time: 2 hours including one 15 minute intermission.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: Academy award winning actress Bette Davis played by Christopher Standout is on her deathbed when her arch rival Joan Crawford played by Jimmy Janowski is sent from hell by celebrity gossip columnists Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons to assist Ms. Davis’s passing to the other side. Hopper and Parsons are also played by Standart and Janowski pre-recorded and appearing on television surrounded by flames. All roles are played in drag but even though BUA proclaims “Annual Summer Camp is in Session!” and it has been described as a “bitch fest” it’s a very effective comedy with the occasional touch of pathos, accessible to all audiences.
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION: As BUA enters its 24th season they have developed into a fine production company and all involved, especially director Todd Warfield and the two actors, are completely in control of the evening. The stage is tiny, both actors are big men, and yet there were no awkward blocking problems and every movement on stage felt organic and natural. The spoken dialog was clear, the impressions of the two iconic stars were consistent for the entire evening, neither dropped out of character, and they stayed focused.
To be honest, it took me a little while to get used to Christopher Standart/Bette Davis. Bette Davis, many have reported, was not an easy person to live with or work with, and so the initial impressions of her, alone on stage, in her night clothes, drinking booze and smoking cigarettes, were a bit unpleasant. And that contrasted with the elegant Joan Crawford/Jimmy Janowski who swept in wearing fabulous makeup, evening gown, and heels. But that’s all Standart needed, someone to react to and with. With Janowski, it’s a full body experience (and that man does have great legs) but with Standart it’s all in the eyes (and he does have the most expressive eyes). In fact, Janowski would set up a joke, and then Standart would deliver the punch line without saying a word, just giving a little glance.
Now, several people, upon hearing that I was going to see this play, seemed puzzled, as if it could only appeal to a certain type of audience. That’s ignorant. This is a completely legit, very funny comedy and as hinted at above, is suitable for all audiences, at least all audiences in 2015. You must realize that the action takes place in 1989 involving stars who had major careers in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s and so many of the conventions are in keeping with those eras. In fact, if you were wondering whether you should take your mother, the answer is an emphatic “yes,” because she will probably remember more than you do about the golden age of Hollywood.
The costumes were good, the makeup and wigs excellent (as you might expect), the furniture serviceable, and the props excellent including a vintage “Hollywood” telephone that really sets the entire scene. There is a tiny trap door used to hilarious effect. However, on opening night there were three problems, in reverse order of egregiousness. The fog machine (used to deliver the smoke of hell) is so loud that I thought it was supposed to be a sound effect, but of what? Nothing. It’s just loud. Second, each actor is required to go behind the stage’s back wall at one point, and each time there was a loud crash, so perhaps that could be looked into. But a big disappointment was the poor audio quality of the pre-recorded scenes with the gossip columnists Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons (played very convincingly by Standard and Janowski). The effect of them appearing on some sort of cable-show-from-hell is campy, but the lines (or the ones I could understand) were hilarious. What a shame that we couldn’t hear everything.
If this were a movie, I’d rate it PG-13. It’s funny and well-acted and isn’t that what we want? If you know someone familiar with Bette Davis or Joan Crawford, take that person. Your mother or grandmother will have a wonderful time and so will you.
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!