One of America’s most beloved television classics bursts back to life as the national tour of I Love Lucy Live on Stage begins its two-week stay at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre. Yesterday’s performance marked the show’s grand opening, and it will continue to provide an interactive audience experience until Sunday, Oct. 26.
Directed by Rick Sparks, I Love Lucy Live on Stage thrusts theatergoers into the classic era of the I Love Lucy television series, which originally premiered 63 years ago. It’s 1952, and viewers don’t walk into the Hippodrome but instead enter the Desilu Playhouse located in sunny Hollywood, Calif. as the live studio audience.
Fans of the show get to watch the performers reenact two original TV episodes, “The Benefit” and “Lucy Has Her Eyes Examined,” written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh and Bob Carroll Jr. Live and in color, this show also includes commercial break filming to really recreate the old Hollywood vibe.
To maintain this illusion of the I Love Lucy world, Maury Jasper (Mark Christopher Tracy) serves as the crowd’s concierge. Complete with a portable headset, Jasper welcomes and preps audience members for their role in the television production at the show’s beginning, encouraging them to applaud even if the studio’s red sign isn’t illuminated. He also periodically interrupts the tapings to introduce advertisements or explain filming techniques.
The set is divided in half, one curtain revealing the iconic Ricardo living room — complete with piano — and the opposite side serving as the club where Ricky performs. Gold curtains also provide the backdrop for performances by the Crystaltone Singers (Sarah Elizabeth Combs, Gregory Franklin, Carlos Martin, Richard Strimer and Sara Jayne Blackmore).
A standout cast member, Thea Brooks, masterfully and consistently mimics Lucy’s exaggerated and childish personality. Whether she is begging Ricky to visit the eye doctor or dancing a confusing Jitterbug, Brooks maintains not only Lucille Ball’s voice, but also her classic comedy.
Born in Santa Fe, Cuba, Euriamis Losada perfectly portrays the Havana-born Ricky Ricardo. Losada not only effortlessly recreates Ricky’s thick Cuban accent, but he also manages to balance Ricky’s frustration with and love for Lucy.
Lucy and Ricky would not be complete without their eccentric neighbors, Fred and Ethel Mertz (Kevin Remington and Lori Hammel). Although minor characters, the couple provides some great comedic moments in the show, such as Ethel’s comically disastrous Women’s Club benefit.
This recreation of the I Love Lucy nostalgia remains successful because Tracy and others refuse to break character. At the very opening of the show, host Jasper polled the audience, asking who hailed from local areas of California.
When only three or four hands were raised, Jasper then asked for representation of the other 47 states. After nearly the entire audience raised their hands, Jasper marveled at the amount of tourists.
Furthermore, the show also includes a plant in the audience, Mrs. Birdie Mae Figg (Denise Moses). Mrs. Figg is a devoted fan of I Love Lucy and won a contest allowing her to fly from her home in Oklahoma to see the show. Jasper repeatedly calls on her to speak for the audience and her “country bumpkin” behavior provides humor.
Another unique feature that draws the audience into the show is a trivia contest with the audience. Lucy audience members get a chance to get on stage and showcase their I Love Lucy knowledge as Jasper hosts the contest.
The show’s costume designers, Shon LeBlanc and Kelly Bailey, also provide authentic ‘50s and ‘20s garments. Lucy’s fashion, including a plaid pantsuit, especially displays the clean-cut style of the past.
Although the television show scenes flow smoothly, I Love Lucy Live on Stage only shows some shortcoming during its advertising jingles. The Crystaltone singers employ simple dance steps and catchy lyrics but sometimes lack distinct personality. Nevertheless, more popular commercials, like one for Chevrolet, are so nostalgic that their simple performances work well.
The Hippodrome Theatre will give fans plenty of opportunities to see the show with 12 presentations of I Love Lucy Live on Stage from Tuesday, Oct. 14 until Sunday, Oct. 26.
Overall, I Love Lucy Live on Stage drew an older crowd of viewers who most likely grew up watching the show as it originally aired. However, I Love Lucy highlights typical 50s image and remains in syndication. Thus, some young adults with a love for Lucy also attended. According to the shows producers, over 350,000 fans have seen the show in its two national tours.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The News-Letter.