I Love Lucy: Live on Stage

Kevin Remington (Fred), Sirena Irwin (Lucy), Joanna Daniels (Ethel) and Bill Mendieta (Ricky). Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

The early 1950s were a time of great optimism among American consumers eager for ways to make their lives more enjoyable, and ready to spend money to do so. With the introduction of the television came the broadcast of American sitcoms into the family home, and one of the earliest sitcoms was I Love Lucy, which became the most-watched and best-loved television show in the United States over its six-year run. Toronto audiences can now travel back to the golden age of television by taking part in I Love Lucy: Live on Stage, now playing at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. This production transports its audience back to 1952, during the filming of two I Love Lucy episodes, allowing them to witness the comedic magic as it happens.

On a stage complete with an Applause sign and recognizable Desilu television cameras, Maury Jasper (Mark Christopher Tracy), the Desilu Playhouse host, excitedly welcomes the audience to glamorous Hollywood, and explains how a live television audience works. He then introduces the stars of the production, Lucille Ball (played by Sirena Irwin) and Desi Arnaz (Bill Mendieta), and the show's supporting characters, Ethel (Joanna Daniels) and Fred (Kevin Remington). Before the filming begins, the audience is treated to the first of many 50s jingles to come during the production, performed on stage by the Crystaltone Singers.

The two I Love Lucy episodes to be filmed are “The Benefit”, and “Lucy Has Her Eyes Examined” which bring the audience into the instantly recognizable Ricardo home. Irwin's Lucy is very glamorous, while still maintaining Lucille Ball's high-pitched voice and impeccable comedic timing. One highlight of Irwin's performance finds her alone at her living room piano, attempting to warm up her vocal chords, unsuccessfully of course, with the hope of singing alongside her husband Ricky. Mandieta is excellent in his portrayal of Ricky, and his performances with the Ricky Ricardo Orchestra at the Tropicana Nightclub are pitch-perfect.

This production is undoubtedly a treat for any I Love Lucy fan, but it is also a trip back in time to the advent of television and the ensuing excitement of being part of a live studio audience. Brands such as Alka-Seltzer, Chevrolet and Palmolive are advertised at commercial breaks by professional singers and dancers, which is not a form of advertising that consumers today are familiar with. The audience is also privy to various outtakes and bloopers performed by the stars, with the Desilu Playhouse host's subsequent explanation that these actors are flesh and blood, even though they are Hollywood stars with Olympic-sized swimming pools.

I Love Lucy: Live on Stage runs until November 3rd at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Visit mirvish.com for more information and to buy tickets.

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