Theater Review: Celebrity Autobiography

Mario Cantone. Photo: Joan Marcus

They Couldn't Make This Stuff Up if They Tried
By Lauren Yarger
Thoughts on having little guidos and guidettes by "Jersey Shore's" Snooki, Geraldo Rivera's reflections about a romantic encounter with Liza Minelli, Cher's obsession with M&Ms, the two sides of Ricky Martin and the eating habits of Neil Sedaka are just a few of the topics given a very comedic reading during Celebrity Autobiography: The Next Chapter playing at the Triad Theatre.

This second rendition of the show (the 2009 version took the Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience) created by Eugene Pack features all new readings from autobiographies penned by the stars. A rotating cast of celebrity readers offers excerpts from the books -- sometimes solo, sometimes ensemble -- with a little added dramatic interpretation for the lounge-style crowd tightly packed at small tables in the house. Some impersonations add to the fun, but this material is funny enough to stand on its own. The words are exactly what the celebrities have written in their books. A comedy writer couldn't make this stuff up if he tried and it was lots of fun watching comedy writing legend Alan Zweibel's incredulous expressions as he read out loud.

The company of performers for the Monday night shows has included Carol Kane, Dick Cavett, Sharon Gless, John Goodman, Debi Mazar, Rosie Perez, Harry Shearer, Jerry Springer, Jennifer Tilley, Fred Willard, Vanessa Williams, Rhea Perlman and a long list of others. The night I attended, the cast included producer Pack, Craig Bierko (Broadway's The Music Man; TV's "Necessary Roughness"), Mario Cantone ("Comedy Central," "Sex in the City"), Susie Essman ("Curb Your Enthusiasm"), Florence Henderson ("The Brady Bunch"), Dayle Reyfel (also a producer of the show) and three-time Emmy-Award winner Zweibel, who was one of the original writers for Saturday Night Live (most recently "Curb Your Enthusiasm").

Every reading earns guffaws, and you haven't really laughed, until you have heard Diana Ross describing her rained-out concert in Central Park. Also reducing the audience to tears were David Hasselhoff's recollections of the "difficulties" involved in his "Bay Watch" and Jekyl & Hyde roles. Henderson kept cracking up her castmates with a chest-hefting, southern-drawling Dolly Parton and Martone's channeling of Barbra Steisand's thoughts about baked kale brought down the house. (Martone also impersonated Minelli and others).

One highlight is a return of the "mashup" combining excerpts from the autobiographies of Elizabeth Taylor, Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. He said, she said has never been funnier.

The rambling thoughts, boring details and self-absorbed reflections might not make the best literary offerings, but they sure do make great comedy material.
The next show is scheduled for Nov. 21 at the Triad, 158 West 72nd St., NYC. Tickets range from $35 to $60 and are available by clicking here. There is a two-drink minimum, cash only. For more information, visit www.celebrityautobiography.com.
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