New Age Vaudeville
| New Age Vaudeville | |
|---|---|
 New Age Vaudeville with Bobby McGuire, Todd Erickson, Peter Neville, Megan Cavanagh, Amy Mckenzie, and Richard O'Donnell | |
| Medium | Theatre Television video |
| Nationality | American |
| Years active | 1983–1987 |
| Genres | Sketch comedy Musical Theatre Improvisation |
| Notable works and roles | An Evening with Elmore & Gwendolyn Putts - The Neighbors Next Door The TV Dinner Hour Dr. Funny Bones Just Visiting |
New Age Vaudeville was an American professional theater troupe founded by Richard O'Donnell and Amy McKenzie, and was part of the Chicago comedy boom of the 1980s.
History
[edit]Peninsula Players' Comedy Cabaret
[edit]In New York City, March 1983, Peninsula Players’ producer, James B. McKenzie contracted Amy McKenzie and Richard O'Donnell to create, develop and perform in an after-show revue at the Peninsula Players in Fish Creek, Wisconsin.[1]
Billed as the Comedy Cabaret, it featured sketch comedy, improvisation, song, and dance performed by members of the Peninsula Players to a late night audience.[2]
New Age Vaudeville
[edit]The Comedy Cabaret returned to Door County the following summer billed as New Age Vaudeville, in its own 75-seat theatre at the summer resort Glidden Lodge in Baileys Harbor, WI.[3]
Chicago and CrossCurrents cabaret
[edit]In the fall of 1986, Richard O’Donnell and Amy McKenzie relocated their theater company to Chicago.[2] New Age Vaudeville established a residency at CrossCurrents cabaret, 3206 N. Wilton.[2] They were contracted by owner Thomas Goodman, who stated, "Not only does New Age Vaudeville christen our new performance space...they are the first resident group in our history."[2][4]
Throughout their 4-year run, O'Donnell co-produced and wrote while McKenzie co-produced and directed numerous productions starring themselves and actors Megan Cavanagh, Todd Erickson, Bobby McGuire, Peter Neville, Michael Dempsey, Caroline Schless, Lisa Keefe, Tom Purcell, and Del Close.[4]
Cult-hits
[edit]Sited by The Chicago Tribune as "...a rarity, an ensemble`s ensemble,[4] they gained a reputation for their wizardry in blending 50’s sitcom norms with comic impersonations.[5] An Evening with Elmore & Gwendolyn Putts - The Neighbors Next Door and The TV Dinner Hour (featuring Del Close on video improvising as The Rev. Thing of the first Generic Church of what's-his-name)[4][6] were among their biggest cult-hits.[7] Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune hailed both works as "Among the most polished and clever productions of the season, a pair of devilishly inventive and challenging shows that won over critics and audiences.[4]
Notable works
[edit]An Evening with Elmore & Gwendolyn Putts - The Neighbors Next Door (book, music, lyrics: Richard O'Donnell)
The TV Dinner Hour (book, music, lyrics: Richard O'Donnell with additional material by Del Close as Rev. Thing)
Dr. FunnyBones’ Carnival of Life (book, music, lyrics: Richard O'Donnell)
Just Visiting (book, music, lyrics: Megan Cavanagh, Richard O'Donnell, Amy McKenzie, Todd Erickson, Bobby McGuire, Peter Neville, and Tom Purcell)
Members
[edit](*denotes original member) (+denotes member of A.E.A.)
- Megan Cavanagh*+
- Michael Dempsey
- Del Close+
- Todd Erickson*
- Uncle Jake*
- Janet Klutterman*
- Lisa Keefe
- Bobby McGuire*
- Amy McKenzie*+
- Peter Neuville*
- Tom Purcell
- Richard O’Donnell*+
- Caroline Schless
- Larry Zambello*
- Thomas Goodman
Noted Accomplishments
[edit]Successfully negotiated an Actors' Equity (AEA) cabaret contract in Chicago: Ticket sales vs. drink revenue, whereby drink revenue, owned by the owners of the bar were not included in ticket sale revenue while establishing actor's weekly compensation.[8]
New Age Vaudeville were the first resident theatre group in the history of the CrossCurrents cabaret in Chicago.[2]
One a few comedy troupes in Chicago to use video monitors playing scripted and improvised pre-taped intros and fillers.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ archives. "Comedy Cabaret". Green Bay Press Gazette Archives. Newspapers dot com.
- ^ a b c d e Kogan, Rick (October 31, 1986). "Crosscurrents Take on a New Challenge". Chicago Tribune. No. News. Tribune, Co.
- ^ Scone, S. (July 25, 1986). "Calendar: Dr. Funny Bones". Green Bay Press-Gazette. USA Today Network. Archived from the original on 20 January 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Kogan, Rick (May 3, 1987). "Vaudeville Troupe Takes Leave of City". Chicago Tribune. No. Arts & Entertainment. Tribune Co.
- ^ Bommer, Lawrence, (November 14, 1986) An Evening with Elmore and Gwendolyn Putts, Chicago Reader, Vol 16, No. 8
- ^ Bommer, Lawrence, (April 2, 1987), Theatre: The TV Dinner Hour, Windy City Times
- ^ a b Kogan, Rick (March 20, 1987). "Comedy Uneven in Del Close's New Show and TV Dinner Hour joint reviews". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
- ^ Office, Regional. "Cabaret Agreement". Actors Equity dot org. Actors Equity Association.
