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Theater Review - "Me and Jezebel"
Monday, January 11, 2016 at 9:35PM THEATER REVIEW - Me and Jezebel
Produced by: Theatre Three, Port Jefferson - Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur
Few Hollywood personalities have lured more female impersonators to characterize them than has the late, great Bette Davis. Accordingly, the starring role of ‘Me and Jezebel,’ which originally opened in New York at Broadway’s Snapple Theater in July, 2013, has frequently been played in drag. With Davis’s acerbic wit and whiskey-cigarette voice, the irreverent icon was (and is) a natural subject for the type of parody we’ve all seen both in the legitimate theater and on late night television shows.
But the Bette Davis of ‘Me and Jezebel’ as currently being portrayed at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson, has been given the most irrepressible interpretation we’re ever likely to see in the person of Long Island’s leading lady of the stage, Marci Bing.
Those of us who had the pleasure of watching Ms. Bing play Maria Callas so magnificently in the Theatre Three production of ‘Master Class’ will not be surprised that she has turned in still another unforgettable virtuoso performance, playing Davis … who, in this show, is invited by author and doting fan Elizabeth Fuller (superbly played by Elizabeth Ann Castrogiovanni) briefly to weather a New York hotel strike at Fuller’s suburban Connecticut home … only to find that the incorrigible screen idol is bordering on becoming a near-permanent fixture!
Whoever was first struck with the notion that Bing should take on this choice role obviously knew her range and depth of insight, because masterful Marci has her character down absolutely cold!
And what a character Davis was! Consider: when an actress becomes recognized by an entire generation of moviegoers based on three spoken words … “Peter, Peter, Peter.” (pronounced ‘Pet-ah’ of course) you know there’s something there that’s probably going to be imitated for time immemorial. We see the same phenomenon with Cary Grant’s “Judy, Judy, Judy.” As the lead character in this delightful spoof points out, Grant never said it, in fact, and Davis never actually offered her triplet either … but that’s not the point. The attribution is there regardless.
Stars like Marci Bing and the delightfully supportive Castrogiovanni (who, in fact must be considered an equal partner in the billing of this show) create the impression that directors, in this case Theatre Three veteran Bradlee E Bing, had nothing much to do … so capable are his free-and-easy charges. That impression in itself, however, is a tribute to his extraordinary skills.
‘Me and Jezebel’ is a truly rewarding post-holiday treat that is not to be missed! You’ll find yourself laughing out loud one minute … and moved almost to tears the next … as this superb acting duet, separated by more than a couple of decades, tickles then woos you with their incredible versatility.
The play opened on January 9th and runs thru February 6th at Port Jefferson’s comfortable, affordable, venerable old theater at 412 Main Street in Port Jefferson.
Local residents who find themselves trapped in a “Man Who Came to Dinner” type dilemma as holiday hosts … might be well-advised to bring that lingering lodger to see the great (if sometimes deliciously profane) Marci Bing and Elizabeth Ann Castrogiovanni on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. First of all, let it be said that everyone will enjoy themselves immensely … and maybe, just maybe, that tenacious house guest will take the hint in the bargain.
The number is (631) 928 9100.
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Award-winning writer, Jeb Ladouceur is the author of eleven novels, and his theater and book reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. His newest book, THE GHOSTWRITERS, explores the bizarre relationship between Harper Lee and Truman Capote. Ladouceur’s website is www.JebsBooks.com
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