BWW Reviews: I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE a Valentine to Fans

From 1951-1957 and beyond, the "I Love Lucy" show captured the hearts of Americans each week with side-splitting laughter and a star that couldn't shine brighter - Lucille Ball. With husband and co-start Desi Arnaz, former vaudeville stars Vivian Vance and William Frawley, the black-and-white TV show shot straight to the top and has remained in the hearts of audiences even up to today. Now the Curran Theatre presents I Love Lucy Live on Stage as a tribute to that iconic show and the redhead that made it all happen. Playing now through November 23, this valentine to Lucy and Desi fans is a must see for all ages.

The show presents theatre-goers with a task - to play the part of a member of the 1953 "I Love Lucy" television show studio audience in Hollywood. You are attending a taping of two episodes of the show with live commercial entertainment in between takes. We also have The Crystaltone Singers who sing old timey jingles for products like Mr. Clean, Palmolive, Bryl Cream Hair Cream, and Alka-Seltzer.

Hodges & Hodges were brimming with excitement to see the recreation of such an amazing part of American culture - and in Technicolor, no less!

Nick: I loved that at the very beginning they asked for the audience to turn off all transistor radios and then had a Desilu stage manager confiscate a 1950's camera with a massive flashbulb apparatus from a patron. It was really funny.

Linda: "You must turn off all noise makers - including your children." It's an old fashioned kind of humor that is classic and never goes out of style. Mark Christopher Tracy plays studio host Maury Jasper who does a stellar job warming up the audience and keeping things moving. The very sound of his voice sounds straight from the 50s. There's a certain inflection, almost like an accent, that announcers had back then. Tracy nails it.

Nick: Director Rick Sparks and co-adapter Kim Flagg did a great job supplying ample references to the era, bringing it alive for the audience and setting the stage for the "live taping." They even had cast members walk the aisles before the performance. I actually got to meet Gertie (Sarah Elizabeth Combs) who plays one of the Crystaltone Singers. She welcomed BroadwayWorld to sunny Hollywood for the taping of the show and was just peachy!

Linda: Well, Ricky Ricardo walked down the aisles and gave me a kiss on the cheek!

Nick: No way! He did?

Linda: No, but I can dream, can't I? I did enjoy the audience interactions though and I loved Mrs. Birdie Mae Figg (Denise Moses). She was an audience plant who doubled as a performer in the show. She was a riot.

Nick: She was. But we all know who we came here to see. That couple we all know and love - Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. When they were introduced they came out on stage in robes like they were just getting ready in their dressing rooms.

Linda: Thea Brooks was a breathtaking Lucy Ricardo. I cannot imagine the hours of work that went into that performance. And though Euriamis Losada wasn't as close a physical match he completely captured Ricky Ricardo. But we never see them come out of their television characters. I knew that the set-up for I Love Lucy Live wasn't a show-within-a-show concept, but I found myself wanting a little more depth. I think it would have been interesting to have Lucy and Ricky in conversation together as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Then the audience would have really had a behind-the-scenes experience.

Nick: That didn't bother me. The show was light and lovely and it was magical to see them. I wonder if Lucy Arnaz, who was recently here in San Francisco for her role in Pippin, has seen the show. It would be interesting to get her reaction.

Linda: It would have to be so surreal for her. Especially Thea Brooks as Lucy. If there was a Lucy look and sound-alike contest she would take home the blue. She really captured the essence of the character quite nicely. Lucille Ball would be proud and I think Lucy Arnaz would be too.

Nick: I couldn't believe how spot on Euriamis Losada was with the voice of Ricky either. He looked a bit younger than his television counterpart (and in better shape), but very shortly into the show he simply was Ricky Ricardo.

Linda: You could almost feel the audience sigh with pleasure when Brooks did some classic Lucy things - like cry really loudly or say "eeewoo." And when Losada said, "Lucy, you got some 'splainin to do" the audience erupted with applause. These characters were and are truly loved.

Nick: As you know, I wasn't around for the original show, but even my generation knows Lucy and Ricky. But I wasn't as familiar with Fred and Ethel Mertz. But thanks to youtube.com I discovered them. Kevin Remington and Lori Hammel as Fred and Ethel Mertz were great finds. What a treat to watch the four of them embody the roles. Great foursome!

Linda: Sparks and Flagg must be proud of this one. With great lighting by David George and period perfect costumes by Shon LeBlanc and Kelly Bailey, this whole production was just a pleasure to watch.

Nick: It really was. With snippets of audience participation throughout the show and amazing tunes from the Ricky Ricardo band, with musical direction by Andy Belling, the show was a relaxing step back to a simpler time.

Linda: A happier time.

Nick: A time when Americans gathered around their small twenty-one inch television sets to watch. . .

Linda: "I Love Lucy."

Hodges & Hodges both agree that this walk down memory lane is a fun-filled night that will delight the whole family. It's cute, funny, and heartwarming. Whether you know the show by heart or have only heard of this iconic television series, you will definitely walk away smiling after I Love Lucy Live on Stage.

I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE
Adapted for the Stage and with new material by Kim Flagg and Rick Sparks
Original Music Composition by Peitor Angell
Directed by Rick Sparks
Now through Nov 23, 2014
www.shnsf.com; Curran Theatre
Photo courtesy of Justin Namon

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