By Ronald B. Hellman
Lots more entertaining but somewhat less risky than the Casual Encounters section of Craigslist is our political process. The latest New York City campaign is winding down to a foregone conclusion on Nov. 3 for those on the Democratic line, while independent Mayor Mike appears to be a heavy favorite. If the figures can be believed, only 2 percent of the city’s population voted in the recent runoff election, and not too many more made the effort in the primary two weeks earlier. And it only cost us taxpayers about $15 million for each trip to the ballot box!
You see, I have this voting habit, among other idiosyncrasies, but my first wife refused to vote — she complained that all the candidate mailings were way too annoying. One woman I saw at the polls said she was voting only “to stop all the phone calls.” They say we get what we deserve, so please remember that truism next year when our legislators in Albany are up for re-election.
From the ridiculous to the sublime, I found my way on a recent Saturday to Queens Theatre in the Park and its brand-new cabaret room, where “The News in Revue” has settled in. Founded in 1991 by writer/director/producer Nancy Holson, the group combines current events with topical song parodies, reminiscent of the 1960’s TV show “That Was The Week That Was” and the various editions of “Forbidden Broadway.”
If you haven’t been to the Queens Theatre and Flushing Meadows Corona Park in a while, you’re missing a lot of good entertainment in its newly expanded facility. The main stage, with almost 500 seats, remains comfortable and intimate; the downstairs studio holds 90-99 with wider, more comfortable seats; there’s a great lobby and reception area; and the 75-seat cabaret performance space with a bar and kitchen is the latest attraction. Parking is free, ample and convenient, and if you take the train, the free shuttle runs frequently from the Mets/Willets Point subway and LIRR station to the theater. Check it all out at QueensTheatre.org.
“The News in Revue” has troupes performing in a number of venues — they’ll even make a deal to show up at your fund-raiser or social event — but the cast I saw at the Queens Theatre featured Jill Donnelly, Lindsay Quinn, Michael Rosenblum and Miguel Sierra, with Musical Director Benjamin Steinhardt on the piano. For about 90 minutes, with a variety of wigs, costumes and props, the actors impersonated some people we have come to know from the headlines.
There was President Obama’s mother-in-law, Marian Robinson, the person to know if you really want access to the White House; Bobby Jindal, governor of Louisiana, as an insecure up-and-coming leader of the Republican party; the going-rogue lady herself, Sarah Palin, “who has done for women what Clarence Thomas has done for blacks”; Bill and Hillary Clinton, of course; and Bernie’s wife Ruth Madoff, bemoaning that she’s “now as poor as an AIG executive.”
The punches were mainly pulled and the language earned just a PG rating, but the audience was all smiles. It wasn’t all political — the closing skit featured a job counselor and a telephone operator from India, with the sex-scandalized Mark Sanford and John Edwards in the mix, giving the cast a chance to use their improv skills with the audience.
While humming the “Oklahoma!” parody “the Sunnis and the Shiites should be friends” on the way out, I headed toward the Unisphere, hoping to find an unplugged Zoltan machine (remember the movie “Big”) to get my wish granted for some decent national health care. Or is that too much to hope for from our political process?
Contact Ron Hellman at RBH24@Columbia.edu.
