Review - Flamingo Court: Love, Boca Raton Style

Playgoers with fond memories of wholesomely sexy television comedies like Love, American Style and The Love Boat may get a kick out of Flamingo Court, Luigi Creatore's trio of one-acts about romance among elderly Florida retirees. The octogenarian playwright most known to Broadway audiences for having co-written the book, music and lyrics for Maggie Flynn (ya gotta love a guy who can get a musical about the New York Draft Riots to Broadway) Creatore may not have written the laff-riot of 2008, but the evening is often very sweet and amusing, especially when he's not making fart jokes.

The production's strongest assets are the two delightful old pros taking center stage. Anita Gillette, Broadway's kooky ingénue from the 60s, and Jamie Farr, best known for his long-running TV stint as the cross-dressing Corporal Klinger in M*A*S*H are both in fine form providing sincere pathos and crackling comic zing.

Taking place in three different condos in the same South Florida apartment complex, designer James Youmans keeps his efficient unit set in place with different details for each play. In "Angelina," the title character (Gillette), who gets her kicks out of yelling at the television whenever one of her soap opera heroines is about to trust a man, lives a bit of a soap opera herself. She's grown very attracted to the romantic Italian neighbor Dominic (Farr is actually pretty convincing as an old world Neapolitan) who, along with their wise-cracking pal Marie (Lucy Martin), visits for post-soap coffee every day. Dominic, who wants to marry Angelina And take her for a romantic honeymoon in Italy, can't hide his jealousy for her husband Frank, the unseen invalid she tends to in their bedroom. If the comic complications that ensue aren't exactly realistic, they are appropriately soap opera-ish, with a short and positively charming bit of romantic relief as Dominic walks Angelina through an imaginary tour of his homeland.

In "Clara," the serious-minded melodrama that takes us to intermission, a heartbroken husband (Farr) sadly tries to convince his wife (Gillette) that a nursing home would be the best place for her. Revealing any more would be too much, as this is a very short piece.

After a merry audience sing-along of "Old Is In," Farr convincingly ages to 89 for the farce, "Harry," about a man determined to spend as much of his money as possible before it goes to his greedy daughter (Martin) and son-in-law (Joe Vincent). A friendly hearing aid salesman (Herbert Rubens) reluctantly agrees to get him a prostitute, which, of course, turns out to be Anita Gillette dressed by costume designer Carol Sherry in tight gold lame pants with a red halter top. As "Chi Chi La Boom Boom" Gillette is a scream, trying to hide her winces of pain each time she seductively bumps her hips.

Save for its brief middle piece, Flamingo Court is essentially sketch comedy and Steven Yuhasz directs with a spirited, light-hearted touch. While you may find yourself smiling more than laughing, Anita Gillette and Jamie Farr flaunt comic skills that prove ageless.

Add Your Comment

To post a comment, you must register and login.