By Barbara Arnstein
Based loosely on the formative years in the life of television icon Carl Reiner, the comedy was first adapted for the stage by Joseph Stein, who is perhaps best known for writing “Fiddler on the Roof.” Stein wrote the script for “Enter Laughing” based on Reiner's novel, which is set in New York City in the mid-1930s.The young, talented Paul Morisi plays David Kolowitz (Reiner's alter ego) who starts out as a delivery boy in a machine shop, but against the wishes of his parents. Soon enough though, he finds himself center stage in a second-rate theater company. Along the way, he finds himself romantically involved with not one, not two, but three different women. Ultimately, he realizes that the life of an actor is for him and the rest, as they say, is history. (As a side note, movie, stage and television star Alan Arkin made his Broadway debut in the role of Kolowitz.) “Enter Laughing's” multi-generational characters also include a director, a factory owner, and the man's parents. The cast of “Enter Laughing” features actors who have directed, a factory owner (playing the factory owner), and the lead character's father (playing his father). Fred Kaminski, who plays the wonderfully over-the-top director Marlowe, first saw “The Fantasticks” before being drafted, and then in an army production played the role of Mortimer (also known as The Man Who Dies). The director, Mark Lord, a high school teacher, has been acting and directing for almost 20 years, and has directed students in award-winning performances. Two of his students, Michael Lizama, and Danny Gutman, have walk-on parts in “Enter Laughing.”John Brandes, who plays the hilariously nonchalant Roger, played the lead in “Fiorello!” and “Sam the pickle man,” the lead in “Crossing Delancey.” Dave Shapiro, who plays factory owner Mr. Foreman, has directed several plays, including “Grease,” at the Marathon Jewish Center in Douglaston. Morisi, who plays Dave, has appeared in a number of high school and college plays, and said he plans to become a high school history teacher. Unlike many community theater productions, which include delays while sets are changed, this show features smooth scene transitions.The Free Synagogue of Flushing, which has been presenting plays for 33 years, is located at 41-60 Kissena Blvd. “Enter Laughing” will be performed at 8 p.m. on May 14 and 21, and at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on May 15 and 22. Admission is $12 ($10 for senior citizens). For more information, call (718) 961-0030.
