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Dinner theater offers comic tale of dating


Frank Gorshin, taking on the role of Allen, is prodded by his best…

By Alex Berger

Woody Allen’s “Play It Again Sam,” about a middle-aged, recently divorced “nebbish” looking for love, opened at the Sid Caesar Dinner at the Huntington Town House on Long Island.

Frank Gorshin, taking on the role of Allen, is prodded by his best friends, a married couple, who arrange several blind dates — all of them played by former Miss America Lee Meriwether star of TV’s “Barnaby Jones.”

The ghost of Humphrey Bogart regularly pops up to give romantic tips to his neurotic protege.

Gorshin, famous for his impressions of famous movie stars, manages to squeeze in likenesses of Peter Lorre, Jack Nicholson, Cary Grant, and, of course, Humphrey Bogart. The audience — including Gabe “Welcome Back Kotter” Kaplan, who will be “Groucho” opening Feb. 28 at the theater — loved it.

The misadventures with the blind dates offer a mirthful romp of funny situations and gags. One night, while preparing for one of the many blind dates arranged by his friends, Gorshin as Allen douses himself with several perfumes, after-shave lotions, and uses a mouth freshener as a deodorant. He nicknames himself Pepi Le Piew, the cartoon skunk always chasing females. But in his case, rather than attracting the ladies, the combined aromas scare them off.

Gorshin as Allen would hallucinate that Bogart was at his side, giving him step by step romantic instructions. But his dates rejected the aggressive Bogart-style from timid Allen.

Does Allen ever find Miss Right? Or is he doomed to isolation in the nebbish universe? Performances continue Feb. 9, 10, and 11. Call 718-347-8670.

Reach Times-Ledger columnist Alex Berger by e-mail at aberger3@nyc.rr.com, or call 229-0300, Ext. 139.