By Karen Nowosad
originally published: 12/12/2024
Jordan Kai Burnett as Gilda and Jonathan Randell Silver as Gene. Photo by T. Charles Erickson
George Street Playhouse presents Gene & Gilda in a limited run through December 22, 2024. The show is written by Cary Gitter and directed by Joe Brancato.
There are only two people in the cast: Jordan Kai Burnett who plays Gilda Radner and Jonathan Randell Silver who plays Gene Wilder. Both of these players turn in performances that are warm and realistic. The best part of these two is the on stage chemistry that they have. This chemistry projects a strong sense of the identities that both of these people had. Additionally, it allows an audience to feel completely enveloped in their story.
Sets are basic and functionally used to tell the story. There is well written dialog which is well presented throughout the show to tell the story and allow the characters to develop.
George Street Playhouse’s Managing Director, Edward Herrera, wrote the following in the opening notes of the Program which sums up what this play brings: “In a time when our world is marked by division and discord, the love between Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner stands as a testament to connection, resilience, and humor in the face of life’s trials.“
The Story Covers the Couple’s Time Together - The show opens with Gene Wilder doing an interview where he is asked to reflect back on Gilda. He is a little hesitant at first but as he speaks, Gilda, in spirit concept, comes on stage. The show becomes an exchange that they have about their lives together.
The dialog brings out the love between the two, but there are humorous moments as well. The entire production holds your interest as the years they are together are described.
We hear about how they met on the 1982 set of the movie of “Hanky Panky.” Gilda admits she was a bit scared meeting Gene as he was already a big star by then. He had already starred in some movie classics including The Producers, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and the 1974 hit Young Frankenstein.
She certainly had nothing to be shy about as her own success was also riding high. That amazing work she did as a female comic was very apparent when she joined the first cast of Saturday Night Live. Here she created such memorable characters as Emily Litella, Roseannadanna, and her take off on Barbara Walters going by the name Baba Wawa. By the time she met Wilder, she had been on Saturday Night Live for more than 5 years, won an Emmy for her work there, and performed in a one woman show on Broadway.
Gilda was impressed with Gene when they met and he was intrigued with her innovative comedic style that people loved.
Although the film “Hanky Panky” was not a real success for either one, their relationship was established as they fell in love.
Marriage and Continued Work - Gene and Gilda were married in 1984 in the South of France. They developed a special love for this area of the world. The conversations that continue in the play bring out all of these aspects in addition to the encouragement each gave to the other.
In 1986, they began work on the movie Haunted Honeymoon. Gene wrote, directed, and acted in the film. Sadly, Gilda is diagnosed with ovarian cancer and it becomes the last screen appearance she has.
Gilda’s Death - Gilda’s death is well handled in this show. There could probably have been included about the gallant fight she made. Her decline becomes more evident. Eventually the scene on stage becomes that of the couple’s beloved location in France where it symbolically represents her death at age 42.
But what continues to come through in this show is the love and respect these two people had for each other. It is fair to say this is a type of love letter to both Gene and Gilda about their love and lives together.
To Go to the Show - Tickets to Gene & Gilda are now on sale at www.georgestreetplayhouse.org. Groups of 10 or more save 20 percent.
Live Stream Opportunity - You might be busy at this time of year or live out of the New Brunswick area. Here’s an opportunity see a live presentation of this play.
George Street Playhouse and The League of Live Theater will offer two live streamed performances of Gene & Gilda. The simulcast performances will air on Friday December 13 at 7:30pm ET and Saturday December 14 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm ET.
Additionally, George Street Playhouse and The League of Live Stream Theater will also offer closed captioning for the final simulcast live performance on Saturday December 14.
Tickets for these live streamed performances begin at $39 and are available for purchase at www.lolst.org/geneandgilda
About the author:
Let's Go to the Theater helps people learn more about about live theater and develop appreciation for this art form. Karen M. Nowosad is the founder of the site. The enjoyment Karen gets from going to the theater is something she wants to share with others.
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