The third option is always toughest when fighting against an entrenched mentality that's always against you. However, for those who succeed they usually stand out above the rest, have the most interesting stories and pave the way for other unique voices to leave their mark. Such is the story of singer and entertainer Sophie Tucker, who billed herself as the "Last of the Red Hot Mamas" and her story is explored in similarly titled play running at the Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum from Oct 2-19. According to director Eric Hafen, he was drawn to Sophie's story by the impression she left as a performer but that not many of recent generations knew who she was. "I wanted her story not be forgotten. The audience that knew her music and entertainment unfortunately is passing on. Current generations won't know her. This would be a golden opportunity to discover the female entertainer who started it all, he said"
The play is told over an evening of song as Sophie Tucker (Gwendolyn F. Jones) along with her lifelong pianist recounts her personal and stage life over seven decades. Sophie Tucker was born Sonya Kalish to immigrant Jewish Ukrainian parents in 1887 who began singing in her parents' restaurant and in Sophie's own words ""would stand up in the narrow space by the door and sing with all the drama I could put into it. At the end of the last chorus, between me and the onions there wasn't a dry eye in the place."
At 16 she eloped with a beer cart driver named Louis Tuck, had a child with him but not long after divorced and had to support herself and her new family by pursuing a stage career. She changed her name to a variation of her first husband's name and never looked back. Told through some period songs such as "Real Women Have Curves", "Living Alone", "Fifty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong", "My Yiddishe Momme" and her uplifting signature song, she recounts her life in the early 1900s as the director Eric Hafen mentions "She had to fight her way to the stage despite many personal issues throughout her life. A poor immigrant family, not very attractive, heavy set, male dominated industry and three failed marriages."
"Once she broke through, much like the late Joan Rivers, Sophie Tucker had to keep re-inventing herself to cut her path through the entertainment field. She started out in vaudeville in black-face. Producers saw an unattractive, heavy young lady who could not possibly compete with the long-legged beauties that were the appeal for the predominantly male audience members…She moved to the Ziegfeld Follies, where audiences learned that this black-face woman was really white and Jewish. When she became too loud and drew too much attention, she moved on," Hafen added. Her career would go on to include her own radio show, several film and television appearances.
When asked why he chose to explore a show that featured an entertainer from a bygone era, Hafen replied, "What had intrigued me about Sophie Tucker was her strength, resilience and influence on future female entertainers. I also love the use of language in the lyrics written for her which supported her brassy, loud and unconventional style of double entendre and sexually suggestive songs and jokes. Never obscene, but always on the cutting edge, she really paved the way for Fanny Brice (her contemporary), Mae West, Totie Fields, Bette Midler, Rosanne Barr, and to some extent Madonna and Lady Gaga. Women being 'naughty' in both body and language as their respective generations would allow."
Hafen came across the script when reading over possible selections for the Bickford's upcoming season and was looking for a treatment on Tucker's life. "Sophie Tucker: Last of the Red Hot Mamas" was originally produced by the Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota and recently finished a run at the Walnut Street Playhouse in Philadelphia. The story of Sophie's life is interwoven over two acts where you see her three failed marriages, road to the stage but as Hafen adds "most importantly, you find the true heart of the character of Sophie Tucker told through great songs and comedy."
This is the New Jersey premiere of the show and audiences are encourage not to miss this rare opportunity to rediscover this feisty pioneer of women in entertainment.
About The Bickford Theatre
The Bickford Theatre is a professional theater that produces and presents year-round entertainment, including a Main Stage Series, two Children's Theatre series, a Jazz Showcase, and Blues at the Bickford. The theatre is a Senior Member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, a not-for-profit organization of 30 professional theaters throughout the state, and works in conjunction with Actors' Equity Association (AEA) and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC). From its beginnings in 1994 to the present, tens of thousands of theater-goers from across the tri-state area have enjoyed the Bickford Theatre's many entertaining and diversified offerings in theatre, music and dance.
About the Morris Museum
Founded in 1913, the Morris Museum is an award-winning, community-based arts and cultural institution which serves the public through high caliber exhibitions in the arts, sciences and humanities. The Museum also offers educational programs, family events, and is home to the Bickford Theatre and its wide range of performing arts offerings. Continuously serving the public since 1913, the Morris Museum has been designated a Major Arts Institution and has received the New Jersey State Council on the Arts' Citation of Excellence, among other awards. The first museum in New Jersey to be accredited, the Morris Museum was re-accredited in 2013 by the American Alliance of Museums.
The Morris Museum is a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Location & Hours
The Museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road (at the corner of Columbia Turnpike) in Morristown, NJ, and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday, 12:00 to 5:00pm. In addition, the Museum is open evenings from 5:00 to 8:00pm on the second and third Thursday of the month. Admission to the Museum is $10 for adults and $7 for children, students and senior citizens. Admission is always free for Museum members. For more information, call (973) 971-3700, or visitwww.morrismuseum.org .
"Sophie Tucker: Last of the Red Hot Mamas" By Richard Hopkins
Directed by Eric Hafen
The Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ
Performances
Thursday, 10/2 & 10/9 AT 7:30PM
Thursday 10/16 AT 2PM
Friday, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17 AT 8PM
Saturday, 10/4, 10/18 AT 8PM; Saturday 10/11 AT 2PM
Sunday, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19 AT 2PM
Tickets
Reserved seats are $45 for the General Public, $40 for Senior Citizens and Members of the Morris Museum/Theatre Guild, $33 for Groups (10 or more), and $20 for Students (18 or under or with valid college ID). Tickets may be purchased by phone at (973) 971-3706, or in person at the Bickford Theatre Box Office. The Bickford Theatre is an integral part of the Morris Museum, located at 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ, and offers free parking and full accessibility. Box Office hours for phone sales are Monday through Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm. Walk-up hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11:00am to 5:00pm.
Cast:
Gwendolyn F. Jones as Sophie Tucker
Creative Team:
Director: Eric Hafen, Artistic Director, Bickford Theatre
Music Director: Nick DeGregorio of Livingston, NJ
Production Stage Manager: Yumi Matsuura of Morristown, NJ
Costume Designer: Mark Happel of Chester, NJ
Scenic Designer: Ric McAllister of Union City, NJ
Lighting Designer: Roman Klima of Holmdel, NJ
