He’s back with his cheery
jokes, his magic tricks and his sweetly sardonic comedy, but also to share darker
stories from his life. After Broadway shows, multiple TV appearances and drama series,
Orson Bean is appearing as himself. Here is the saga of a young boy breaking
away from a terrible childhood into the magical world of stand-up comedy. He
reveals that what kept him going throughout his life now seems to him a series
of miracles.
Handsome as ever and
winsome as we knew him best we spend a delightful 90 minutes discovering who he
really is. The inner life of a comedian is often shaded with tragedy that is
only overcome by humor and optimism. That’s what this show is about and I
recommend it unreservedly to all who remember the man and laughed at his gentle
view of humanity.
Director Guillermo
Cienfuegos sets a languid but intimate mood that draws in audience members
to feel as though they are Orson’s special friends. The clever mix of humor,
magic & melancholy works admirably throughout. Also, if you sit in the
front row you might be lucky enough to be drawn into some amazing magic tricks.
At Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Blvd. in Venice. For tickets call (310) 822-8392 or online at http://www.pacificresidenttheatre.com.
*Wry Note: In the 1960’s when I was a young Broadway actress I was briefly in a show with Orson but, as often happens with a neophyte and a star, we never personally met.
Also reviewed in the March
issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY. His memoir, Safe At Home, is available on Amazon.
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