The next scene takes us to the present day, as Fenella has a lunch meeting with producer Ezra Pector (Brian Michael Jones), whose parents were the producers whose careers were ruined by the bickering star duo.Įzra has a brand-new, two-person play called “Two on a Bench,” and he wants Fennington and Haverly as his stars, calling their participation “cosmic reparation” for having destroyed his parents’ careers and lives. “Staged” begins 20 years ago with a performance of “Antony and Cleopatra” starring Haverly and Fennington that goes awry, devolving into a spectacular on-stage row between the two high-profile stars. In Laguna, three elements skillfully tread the fine line between the uproarious and the delicate, wherein characters who at first glance are caricatures struggle with insecurity and self-doubt: The script, Bergman’s adroit direction of it, and the quartet of actors surrounding Rudner and McShane. No, “Staged” has more on its mind than simply one-dimensional comedy. Whether Rudner and Bergman intend to elicit this comparison is almost beside the point, because their script digs a little deeper than simply depicting the couple’s well-publicized battles and holding them up for ridicule. Rita Rudner, Brian Lohmann and Mike McShane star in the World Premiere of “STAGED” at The Laguna Playhouse. You’d be spot-on if the antics of Fennington and Haverly remind you of Taylor and Burton, a notoriously embattled show-biz power couple of the ’50s, ’60s and later decades. Their tempestuous marriage frequently disrupts their careers, and “Staged” sees them battle it out in public and divorce, only to reunite years later. That’s only fitting, as its subject is also a show-biz power couple – albeit a fictional one.įenella Fennington (Rudner) and husband Jarvis Haverly (Mike McShane) are among the brightest lights of stage and screen. Now in its world premiere through February 12 at their home venue, “Staged” is their latest work in partnership: Bergman directs Rudner in a script they co-wrote as a vehicle for her. Since their marriage in 1988, they’ve collaborated on countless projects, including the plays “Tickled Pink” and “Act 3” that were produced at the Laguna Playhouse. Rita Rudner and Mike McShane star in the World Premiere of “STAGED” at The Laguna Playhouse. If Laguna Playhouse were said to have a power couple, it would be Rita Rudner and Martin Bergman. Always decked out in a gorgeous evening gown, she balances whip-smart humor with old-school glamor.By Eric Marchese | Special to the LB Indy Her jokes mainly center on the differences between the sexes, as well as sharp observations on life. A fan of Jewish humor, she reserves that repertoire for her Jewish audiences when on tour. She spent many a late hour looking into her favorite comedians, including the work of Woody Allen and Jack Benny. Rudner did not turn to comedy until she was 25, after critically observing how few female comedians there were compared to the number of dancers. Moving to New York as a dancer at the tender age of 15, she acted in various Broadway productions, including the now-legendary original productions of Follies and Mack and Mabel. With her English producer/writer husband Martin Bergman, she has starred in various television projects with stars such as Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompso. She has sold sold a staggering 1.5m tickets in that time. The legendary actress-turned comic is behind the longest solo comedy show in Vegas history at with a record-breaking 12-year run and 2,000-plus shows. The Concert: A Tribute to Abba (May 4, 2024).The Price Is Right - Live Stage Show (Apr 26, 2024).The Rocket Man Show - Elton John Musical Tribute (Apr 24, 2024).Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations (Feb 21 - 25, 2024).David Foster with Katharine McPhee (Feb 14, 2024).The Simon and Garfunkel Story (Feb 6, 2024).HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis (Jan 21, 2024).
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