Now in
its sixth season, the Jewish Repertory Theatre (JRT) of Western
New York will raise the curtain for its latest
production, Hello Muddah! Hello
Fadduh! This show is the first musical the theatre has put
on, and it thrives on Jewish humor and song parodies.
New York
The
show is molded around the songs of Jewish musician Allan Sherman. The songs are
put into sequence to tell the story of Barry Bockman as he moves from summer
camp, to falling in love and finally to marriage. All the while Barry is
experiencing trimester life crises, but through his troublesome times he
realizes that life is something to be enjoyed.
Managing
Director of JRT and Director of Hello
Muddah! Hello Fadduh! Thomas Dooney feels that Allan Sherman
songs are unique and a great fit for the storyline. “Allan Sherman songs hold
much more musical integrity than you would expect from novelty songs,” he said.
“The strong instrumentals and lyrics are precise and purposeful, as well as
very fun and clever.”
JRT currently
does not possess a theatre of their own, but they continue to perform at venues
around the Buffalo area.
This time around they will perform at Road Less Traveled Production’s theatre. Dooney
says that sometimes they are referred to as the “wandering Jews,” and that “at
times we would like roots, but not having them allows us to cross-pollinate…and cross pollination always makes theatre richer.”
Dooney says that when he mentions the play, many people
can’t resist beginning to sing the title’s tune. “I hope that people who are
of an age to remember Allan Sherman come to see the show, because it will give
them a fresh memory of all those songs they enjoyed. And for those
audiences not familiar, they will be introduced to his cleverness.”
Theresa Quinn, an attorney by day and professional musician by night, is the show’s musical director and accompanist. Quinn, who also has a part in the play, leads the cast through a range of music styles ala Sherman. She is also known for her accompaniment and musical direction at MusicalFare, O’Connell & Company and Buffalo United Artists.
The
cast of the show is local and features actress and WECK radio personality Loraine
O’Donnell; award-winning comic actor and musical performer Tim Newel; Don
Gervasi of the Eclectic Theater Company (Buffalo’s own
professional improv comedy troupe); and Wendy Hall (who has delighted audiences
in featured roles at MusicalFare and O’Connell & Company. Last but
not least, David Butler will return to the JRT stage after his acclaimed
performance in JRT’s season opener, Awake
and Sing!
Tickets are $32, $30 for seniors, and are now on
sale at the front desks of both Jewish Community Center locations; in Getzville
(
Forest Road
and in
online or by phone at
716.688.4114 x391.