ENTER LAUGHING OPENS AT STAR PLAYHOUSE JANUARY 12, 2013
Whether or not you enter laughing to Enter Laughing you are sure to exit laughing. No it not a riddle, it’s an invitation to see a delightful comedy opening at Star Playhouse at the Suffolk Y-JCC on January 12. Enter Laughing has been a trifecta hit, first as a book by Carl Reiner, autobiographic in nature about his youthful quest to find a place in theater. It was then a Broadway hit in 1963 in a play adapted by Joseph Stein and finally a movie directed by Mr. Reiner himself. The original Broadway version starred such luminaries as Alan Arkin in the lead, Vivian Blaine and Sylvia Sidney.
Enter Laughing is set in New York City of the mid 1930s. David Kolowitz (Michael McAuliffe of Bethpage) an adolescent with raging hormones is employed in a machine shop. He yearns for a career on stage while his parents (Roger Leonardis of Queens and Lisa Westfall of Moriches) will him to be what all Jewish parents yearn for, a married man and a pharmacist. In addition to setting his sights on the footlights, David’s amorous attentions are divided between his long standing girlfriend Wanda (Kerri Dillon of Medford ) for whom he has Wanda lust, the buxom Miss B. the bookkeeper (June Damadeo of Northport) and Angela (Rita Wallace of Huntington) the alluring young actress and daughter of Marlowe the theater owner (Frank Hendricks of Glen Cove). Len Klein of Dix Hills is Foreman, the cantankerous but kindly factory owner, hoping to persuade David to stay with the grease and away from the greasepaint and to perhaps inherit the business. Roger the hat salesman, Miss B’s steady beau (Larry Katz of East Northport) is willing to give the shirt off his back and maybe the pants too, to entice Miss B. and help young David in his theater debut. David walks a tight rope trying to please and hide his divided loyalties from everyone. The show is directed by Tim Conlon of Deer Park.
Star Playhouse now celebrating its 30th season is at the Suffolk Y-JCC 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack. Performance dates are Saturdays January 12, 26 at 8:00 and Sundays January 13, 20, 27 at 2:00. Ticket prices are $22 for non Y members, $19 for members, $17 for seniors and students and $15 for Y member seniors and students. Group rates are available. The Star theater is handicapped accessible, with ample free parking, and a hearing impaired system. For further information or reservations call 631-462-9800 ext. 136.
