“˜Catskills’ leaves audiences laughing

By Laura Morgan
Daily Bruin Contributor

When the character Rip Van Winkle, in Washington Irving’s
fantasy tale of the same name, slept in the Catskill Mountains for
20 years, he probably slept like a baby.  

Chances are, however, that he wouldn’t have had one
night’s rest if the Catskillian comedians Freddie Roman, Mal.
Z. Lawrence, Dick Capri and Scott Record were there. On the
contrary, he would have laughed for 20 years straight.

“Catskills on Broadway,” a performance featuring
these four comedians, opened May 1 and runs through May 13 at the
Wilshire Theatre. The show, which brings a laugh-packed salute to
upstate New York, leaves the audience in an uproar of laughter.

Of the four players, three of them are original cast members,
who display talent in every aspect of their comedic sketches,
whether it be singing, acting, criticizing or just telling a good
joke.

The evening suitably begins with “Comedy Tonight,” a
song from one of Broadway’s best musicals, “A Funny
Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.” The overture is
quite fitting and foreshadows what is to come in the rest of the
two-hour performance.

Opening the show and acting as master of ceremonies is Roman,
the creator of “Catskills on Broadway.” Immediately
Roman puts the audience into an easy giggle by starting in on the
role that Florida played in the 2000 Presidential elections.

Though Roman’s humor is not the type to keep the audience
rolling on the floor, everything he says rings true and the
audience cannot help but agree with laughter. His real life-based
sketches and ironic humor include his son, who graduated from the
Wharton School of Business with a 3.8 GPA but got a job at the
racetrack shoveling horse manure because he didn’t know what
he wanted to do.

Wrapping up his sketch, a new face takes the spotlight from
Roman, that of Record. Record, whose comedic performance revolves
around vocal impersonations, is remarkable. His talent proves to
make one of the best acts of the show, with precise impersonations
that include Neil Diamond, Louis Armstrong, Michael Jackson and
Stevie Wonder, to name a few. 

From time to time, Record gives the musical sarcasm a rest and
attempts stand-up comedy, but he is quick to realize that
it’s probably best that he stick to the musical comedy. So,
he sings a personalized version of Ricky Martin’s hit
“Livin’ La Vida Loca,” in the character of
Martin, but with words to suit his physical features.

The third comedy act comes from the only non-Jewish member of
the cast, Capri, an Italian who ironically does his piece mostly on
the Jewish faith and culture. When not giving the audience his two
cents worth of sexual satire and the fact that it is just
impossible to find good Italian food, Capri throws in a hilarious
amount of matrimonial mockery that seems to describe
everyone’s marriage or parents’ marriage perfectly.

Undoubtedly, the evening is not the same without comedic genius
Lawrence, whose sketch ranges from cultural observances to a vast
amount of impersonations and critiques of senior citizens. By the
time Lawrence goes through five minutes of his routine, the
audience is in an uproar of laughter and applauding for more.
Lawrence has a tour de force in his comedic act, which is one of a
kind and appropriately ends the night with a bang.

Although most of the evening may appeal to an older generation,
the cast members make great use of satire and everyday humor. In
doing so, people of all ages can easily relate to what is being
said, and, although they may not find everything as hilarious as
those sitting next to them, one thing is for certain:
“Catskills on Broadway” is a one-of-a-kind hit that
will please people of all ages.

COMEDY: “Catskills on Broadway”
shows through May 13 at the Wilshire Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd.
in Beverly Hills. Performances are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8
p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 7:30 p.m.
Ticket prices range from $27 to $52 and can be purchased at any
Ticketmaster outlet by calling (213) 365-3500, or on the Web at
www.ticketmaster.com.