RICH LITTLE'S JIMMY STEWART& FRIENDS
- a Hit at Ottawa Little Theatre
In this, my first blogpost of the new school year, I'm taking a break from writing about educational matters - my usual focus - to comment on my night at the Ottawa Little Theatre on Saturday, September 1. The show my wife and I enjoyed was Rich Little Live - Jimmy Stewart & Friends. It was a fundraiser for the Ottawa Little Theatre and part of its hundredth anniversary celebration.
I should begin my review of the show by acknowledging that Rich is a family friend and my father's closest friend. I grew up referring to him as Uncle Rich and have always found him to be a kind, generous, and considerate person, and despite his celebrity status, really quite unassuming. I have seen him perform several times.
Rich Little Live - Jimmy Stewart & Friends.is a funny, clever, and sometimes poignant tribute not only to the legendary Jimmy Stewart but as well to the stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood. The show opens with great footage of Jimmy Stewart and Rich Little together, including a very funny clip from a Dean Martin Roast in which Rich gives Stewart direction on how Stewart should better imitate himself. Rich then enters the stage as Jimmy Stewart, and before beginning the show - in a clever bit of stagecraft - begs the audience's indulgence while Harvey, the imaginary 6 foot rabbit of Stewart movie fame, is escorted to his seat.
The show, which is presented in a sort of one-man repertory style, takes the audience chronologically through the life of Jimmy Stewart, using his litany of great and not-so-great movies as a springboard for the 31 impressions he does - many of which are of the actors who starred alongside him in these films. Along with the voices of contemporaries and friends of Stewart - such as Henry Fonda, Gary Cooper, George Burns, Alfred Hitchcock, and Ronald Reagan, Rich works into the script those of other popular celebrities such as Johnny Carson, Jack Nicholson, Andy Rooney, and even Dr.Phil.
 |
| My wife Reva, Rich, and me after the show |
It's been said before, but Rich Little Live - Jimmy Stewart & Friends demonstrates clearly that Rich Little is head-and-shoulders above all other impersonators and impressionists in his unique ability to go beyond mere mimicry and become the multitude of celebrities he imitates. With a simple pair of round glasses and cigar, he transforms within seconds to create the illusion that George Burns is standing before the audience. Likewise, with a prolonged shake of his jowls, he is for the moment Richard Nixon in all his infamous glory.
|
The anecdotes and jokes in the show - some of which are rather raunchy - are not only funny in themselves but delivered with an uncanny sense of timing and skilful attention to inflection that come only from years of practice. They are also perfectly suited to the personalities who deliver them. Here's a small sampling of one-liners:
- Richard Nixon: "Good God, I'm having a jowl movement!"
- Andy Rooney: "Did you ever wonder what colour a Smurf turns when you choke him?"
- Ronald Reagan: (to the audience) "Who the hell are all of you people?"
- Johnny Carson: "May your 16 year old daughter date Bill Clinton!"
But beyond the gags and satire, what makes Rich Little Live - Jimmy Stewart & Friends a memorable and satisfying show is the homage and respect it pays to the entertainers it features - even while they are being lampooned. Simply put, it's a great mix of humour and nostalgia. A case in point is near the end of the show when Rich transitions within moments out of telling hilarious and off-colour jokes in the voices of stars such as George Burns and Dean Martin into a touching Jimmy Stewart-delivered tribute to Stewart's wife of 44 years Gloria.
Of course,
Rich Little Live - Jimmy Stewart & Friends ends in the only way such a great tribute to Jimmy Stewart possibly could - with Rich as Stewart saying "It's been a wonderful life."
 |
| Gord Atkinson, Rich Little, & Bill Luxton reunited at the OLT |
Following the show and two heartfelt standing ovations, Rich spoke with the audience for several minutes about his early days as an amateur actor with the Ottawa Little Theatre. He said that he recalls like it was yesterday exiting stage left 57 years ago after his first performance at OLT and thinking "This is what I want to do for the rest of my life."
It was clear that Rich was moved by the great reception and response he received from the audience, which included many people who are a part of the amazing history of the Ottawa Little Theatre. He singled out Bill Luxton, of CJOH fame, who Rich said amazed him with his ability to become the characters he played in OLT productions. (For me, Bill Luxton will always be the definitive Baron Von Trapp from The Sound of Music.) He also acknowledged my father as his "best and closest friend".
He closed by announcing that he is planning to bring Rich Little Live - Jimmy Stewart & Friends to Broadway. I have no doubt that it will be a hit and enjoy a long run there.
