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Playhouse's 'Last Laugh' goes behind the comedy
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
Bernie Appugliese has always had a thing for the old comedy teams, those constantly performing borscht belt duos whose acts became their way of life.
The genre — which peaked in the ’50s and ’60s — produced some legendary acts, including Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. Harsh insults and profanity were not part of their shtick, but wit and spontaneity definitely were. So was the interplay between the performers, who spent so much time together that they became as close as family.
It is these old-school comedy troupers that inspired Appugliese to write “Last Laugh,” a comedy play that will get its premiere Friday at the Youngstown Playhouse.
“The play is based on my love of that kind of comedy,” said Appugliese, who is also the executive director of the Playhouse. “They were pioneers, and they pushed that kind of comedy to the next level.”
He cites Sid Caesar, George Burns and Gracie Allen, and Ernie Kovacs as among his favorites.
For “Last Laugh,” Appugliese created the fictional comedy duo of Pressman and Wolleck.
The two were a top draw in Vegas in their heyday, but as the play begins it is 1999 and they’ve long since retired. Pressman and Wolleck have gone their separate ways, although they’ve remained friends.
When an offer arises for them to reunite for a show, each man relives what has transpired in their lives that has brought them to this juncture.
“That’s what we learn about,” said Appugliese. “We learn about what they sacrificed. When they get back together to perform, they have to revisit those details. They used comedy to ease the wounds. Being a team helped them get through the bad times.”
The cast includes Terry Shears and David Jendre in the primary roles. Kathy Appugliese and Terri A. Wilkes round out the veteran cast.
John Cox is directing the play — a job he sought when he read the first act last year.
“I like the way he writes,” said Cox of Appugliese. “It’s very conversational. The humor is there without trying to be funny.”
Appugliese said Cox has helped bring out nuances of the script that he never considered.
“I believe a writer should not direct or be in his own work,” said Appugliese. “Because you’ll never get that other opinion. You will always hear it the way you heard it when you wrote it. John has heard things that I probably put there subliminally, and it’s amazing.”
The process of bringing a new work to life is a constantly changing one, said Appugliese, with ideas coming in from the director, the actors and the costumer. “I love it when other ideas come in,” he said. “You realize how unfinished it is.”
Cox agreed, and said there is a lot of substance in Appugliese’s script. “When you write it, you might be too close to the forest and can’t see those details,” he said. “I read it objectively.”
“Last Laugh” is being presented in the Playhouse’s Moyer Room. Sales for the first weekend have been strong, and a matinee performance already has been added to the second weekend. There is a lot riding on the Playhouse performance. Appugliese said “Last Laugh” was commissioned by a theater in Chicago and has a chance of being produced there.
“I’m excited but not nervous,” he said. “I have one of the greatest casts and director.”
Two other plays written by Appugliese already have come to fruition in recent years at Youngstown theaters: “Gloria Birnbaum” and “For the Record.”