Chris Fusco as Carol Burnett in TNT Productions' 'The Carol Burnett Show.' Photo: Courtesy TNT
From Television City in Wyandotte – better known as The Biddle Hall – it's "The Carol Burnett Show." Yes, the legendary TV show that ran for 11 seasons beginning in September 1967 can now be seen live and onstage, thanks to dinner theater producer TNT Productions. Having watched pretty much all 278 episodes of the Emmy Award-winning series at least once – and the owner of a few "best of" DVD collections – I approached the opening night performance with some trepidation. After all, how can anyone – let alone a troupe of local actors – recreate the iconic performances of Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence and Tim Conway and not pale by comparison? Or, I wondered, would director Tommy Wojtala and his assistant Lilli Martin give the classic skits a 21st century makeover?
Personally, I'd prefer the latter approach, since mimicking such indelible characterizations would be difficult for even the most seasoned stage veteran. However, as expected,
TNT's "The Carol Burnett Show" tries to faithfully recreate a handful of the show's most revered characters and sketches – but as I also presumed, the troupe does so with mixed results.
There are several humorous moments, to be sure – Mama's Family in particular – but the production is hobbled by inconsistent portrayals. Whereas John Winslow is splendid in all of Tim Conway's roles and Barb Day is fine channeling Vicki Lawrence as Sissy (the maid in "Went With the Wind") and Mama, Chris Fusco seems to confuse Carol Burnett with Gilda Radner in two lengthy scenes ("Fireside Girl" and "High School Reunion"). And Tim Wojtala rarely conjures up memories of the late, great Harvey Korman, a nearly impossible task for anyone.
But more detrimental to the show are various directorial problems and technical issues. The pacing is often glacial, with uncomfortable dead spots between scenes and missed laughs that are the result of bad timing. (A joke built around a soldier asking for a match is flubbed, for example, because the associated sound effect is incomprehensible and happens way too late.) Plus, lights come on and go off for seemingly no reason.
If TNT Productions truly aspires to succeed as a professional theater with the goal of bringing "high quality entertainment" to the downriver community, its leaders might want to consider hiring experienced directors from outside the community theater circuit. (Also recommended: an expert lighting consultant.) While the building blocks for a professional-level show are present in "The Carol Burnett Show," much fine-tuning is needed – which would unlikely be the case if trained professionals were at the helm.
The food served at The Biddle Hall received raves from several nearby diners, and the friendly service was excellent!
REVIEW:
'The Carol Burnett Show'
TNT Productions at The Biddle Hall, 3239 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte. Fridays (and an occasional Sunday) through Oct. 25. Reservations required. Dinner served at 7:30 p.m.; lunch Sunday matinees at 1:30 p.m. Dinner performances – $35 per person, or $60 per couple; $25 Sunday matinees. (Includes lunch/dinner, dessert, tax, tip & performance.) 734-626-8395.
