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Reposted from the Valley News Dispatch website:
Armstrong theater builds on humor of 1960s TV show
By Rex Rutkoski
VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Carol Davis loves to make people laugh.
The East Franklin Township resident believes she has found the perfect vehicle with which to elicit that reaction this weekend.
She is a cast member in Armstrong Community Theater's 2007 season-opening production, "A 1960s Variety Show," featuring scenes from the classic television show "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In." It is being staged today through Saturday at Lenape Technical School in Manor Township.
"If you want to laugh until your sides hurt, it's the show to see," says Davis, who grew up in the '60s. "'Laugh-In' was a show you didn't want to miss. Everyone tuned in to see it."
She is portraying the old maid, the character Ruth Buzzi played. She says it was her favorite character on the show. "She always was so funny and entertaining," Davis says.
That's what participants in this show are planning to deliver. It's an opportunity, Davis says, to "sit back, laugh and unwind."
It also will feature music from the '60s.
A large cast brings spirit and enthusiasm to the production, says theater president and co-director Paul Wright, of North Buffalo. "They are 33 amazing actors who made my directing experience unforgettable," he says.
"Laugh-In" might be thought of as a faster-paced version of "Saturday Night Live," says Gary Ashley, of Kittanning Township, who portrays co-host Dick Martin, who often used partner Dan Rowan as his straight man. He prepared for the role by studying video clips of the show and adding his own personality.
"I think the reason 'Laugh-In' resonated for people is because it was a way to deal with serious issues in the United States in a less-serious way. It was noted for having national figures and celebrities on the show as a precursor to 'Saturday Night Live,'" Ashley says.
Danielle Watt, of Kittanning, who has several parts in the show, says that while the celebrities and politicians of today are different than in the "Laugh-In" era, the general ideas and situations are very much alive today.
"This is a clever and fast-paced show. Some of the one-liners are fantastic, and I've even been guilty of using a few of them in my everyday life," she says. "Anyone with a sense of humor or a love for the '60s should come."
Mike Luke, who plays a judge and a druggist, admits he has had a difficult time keeping a straight face in rehearsals. "If you ever watched 'Laugh-In,' this will crack you up," he says.
"It will bring back memories of those evenings in front of your TV," adds Helen Sigler, of East Franklin, who plays a customer trying to pick up her medication at a corner drug store.
Back are the "Joke Wall," the "Sock It to Me" girl, the German Soldier, and the intellectually challenged blonde, among others.
"It's a revival of a great comedy," says Brooke Magill, of Youngwood, who is making her debut with the theater troupe with a series of small roles. "There's a collection of talents coming together, with people from all walks of life, just getting out there and producing a great show."
The music will be recognizable to most people, says co-director Sherri Shuster, of Kittanning. She is in the opening "Aquarius," one of 10 musical numbers in the production. "Wendy," "I Got You Babe," "More Today Than Yesterday," "Hey Jude," "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'," "Downtown," "Surfin' USA," "Creeque Alley" and an original song called "Johnny Fantastic," also are on the bill.
Shuster hopes those who lived through the era will be able to walk down memory lane with this production. "And I want the younger crowd to appreciate the popularity and success of the show and the simple comedy," she says.
Paul Wright believes that even those who have never seen "Laugh-In" will recognize the characters and the catch phrases associated with the show, which aired on NBC from 1968 through 1973, introducing America to people like Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin.
"'Laugh-In' always made fun of what was happening in the 1960s and poked fun at censorship," Wright says.
Wright was born in the '60s, and the decade's music and television hold a lot of happy memories for him. He hopes to share that feeling with audiences this weekend.
Armstrong theater builds on humor of 1960s TV show
By Rex Rutkoski
VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Carol Davis loves to make people laugh.
The East Franklin Township resident believes she has found the perfect vehicle with which to elicit that reaction this weekend.
She is a cast member in Armstrong Community Theater's 2007 season-opening production, "A 1960s Variety Show," featuring scenes from the classic television show "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In." It is being staged today through Saturday at Lenape Technical School in Manor Township.
"If you want to laugh until your sides hurt, it's the show to see," says Davis, who grew up in the '60s. "'Laugh-In' was a show you didn't want to miss. Everyone tuned in to see it."
She is portraying the old maid, the character Ruth Buzzi played. She says it was her favorite character on the show. "She always was so funny and entertaining," Davis says.
That's what participants in this show are planning to deliver. It's an opportunity, Davis says, to "sit back, laugh and unwind."
It also will feature music from the '60s.
A large cast brings spirit and enthusiasm to the production, says theater president and co-director Paul Wright, of North Buffalo. "They are 33 amazing actors who made my directing experience unforgettable," he says.
"Laugh-In" might be thought of as a faster-paced version of "Saturday Night Live," says Gary Ashley, of Kittanning Township, who portrays co-host Dick Martin, who often used partner Dan Rowan as his straight man. He prepared for the role by studying video clips of the show and adding his own personality.
"I think the reason 'Laugh-In' resonated for people is because it was a way to deal with serious issues in the United States in a less-serious way. It was noted for having national figures and celebrities on the show as a precursor to 'Saturday Night Live,'" Ashley says.
Danielle Watt, of Kittanning, who has several parts in the show, says that while the celebrities and politicians of today are different than in the "Laugh-In" era, the general ideas and situations are very much alive today.
"This is a clever and fast-paced show. Some of the one-liners are fantastic, and I've even been guilty of using a few of them in my everyday life," she says. "Anyone with a sense of humor or a love for the '60s should come."
Mike Luke, who plays a judge and a druggist, admits he has had a difficult time keeping a straight face in rehearsals. "If you ever watched 'Laugh-In,' this will crack you up," he says.
"It will bring back memories of those evenings in front of your TV," adds Helen Sigler, of East Franklin, who plays a customer trying to pick up her medication at a corner drug store.
Back are the "Joke Wall," the "Sock It to Me" girl, the German Soldier, and the intellectually challenged blonde, among others.
"It's a revival of a great comedy," says Brooke Magill, of Youngwood, who is making her debut with the theater troupe with a series of small roles. "There's a collection of talents coming together, with people from all walks of life, just getting out there and producing a great show."
The music will be recognizable to most people, says co-director Sherri Shuster, of Kittanning. She is in the opening "Aquarius," one of 10 musical numbers in the production. "Wendy," "I Got You Babe," "More Today Than Yesterday," "Hey Jude," "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'," "Downtown," "Surfin' USA," "Creeque Alley" and an original song called "Johnny Fantastic," also are on the bill.
Shuster hopes those who lived through the era will be able to walk down memory lane with this production. "And I want the younger crowd to appreciate the popularity and success of the show and the simple comedy," she says.
Paul Wright believes that even those who have never seen "Laugh-In" will recognize the characters and the catch phrases associated with the show, which aired on NBC from 1968 through 1973, introducing America to people like Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin.
"'Laugh-In' always made fun of what was happening in the 1960s and poked fun at censorship," Wright says.
Wright was born in the '60s, and the decade's music and television hold a lot of happy memories for him. He hopes to share that feeling with audiences this weekend.
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