Review: GEORGE & GRACIE: A LOVE STORY at Milwaukee Rep

"George & Gracie: A Love Story finds timeless humor and heart in entertainment legends.

Actor/writer Tami Workentin wrote the play (her first) for herself and her real life husband, James Pickering. The jokes (with a bit of music and history thrown in) can fast and furious,. You could almost hear the rim shot. The show focused on their lives in showbiz – spanning vaudeville, radio, movies and the early years of television- with some looks at  their personal life.

Pickering captures Burns’ curmudgeon persona, which always made Burn seem older than Allen – even though they were the same age (actually Gracie was a year younger.)

Likewise Workentine deliers on Gracie Allen's spritely personality and famously high-pitched, nasal voice.

Pickering and Workentin captured their rhythm masterfully – it’s almost like they were married (wink)! Director Laura Braza makes the most of the built-in chemistry.

Supporting Pickering and Workentin was Jonathan Riker, who played a number of characters, including an elevator guy that transported George, Gracie and the audience across the years. Earlier this season, Riker blew audiences away in Milwaukee Chamber Theatre's "I Am My Own Wife" earlier this season. Hard to imagine two more different performances – but Riker nailed them both.

Caption: James Pickering, Tami Workentin and Jonathan Riker.

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Featured Performer in a Play - Top 3

1. Laurie Metcalf - Death of a Salesman

8.2% of votes

2. Alden Ehrenreich - Becky Shaw

5.8% of votes

3. Ben Ahlers - Death of a Salesman

5.3% of votes

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