Daydream Theatre reveals Lucille Ball’s off-screen life

Even if you’ve only seen Lucille Ball as the red-headed, off-key clown in her half-hour comedy show “I Love Lucy,” you’ve been exposed to her on-screen charms. Her training as a model and dancer helped her maintain a graceful stance and figure throughout her career. However, as with many celebrities, Lucy’s off-screen life and personality were very different from her on-screen antics. Award-winning Rhode Island playwright Lenny Schwartz has taken on the challenge of presenting Lucille Ball’s entire biography – the funny and the sad – as his latest original screenplay for Daydream Theatre Company. Also directed by Schwartz, his version titled Lucy plays at the Bell Street Chapel in Providence, RI, opening November 7, 2013.

In “I Love Lucy,” Lucy was the physical comedienne married to the talented Cuban band leader, Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz). Lucy was always trying to sneak into Ricky’s act at the club, even though she didn’t appear to have any talent at all. In Schwartz’s play, we learn that early in Ball’s life, she was told exactly that by her drama coach. Undeterred, Ball never gave up her dream of being a success, being recognized for her work, and trying to fill the void left by her father’s death when she was only 3 years old. Schwartz is not afraid to show the turbulent scenes from Ball’s life, but he does allow us to share some of the laughter.

Fulfilling the gargantuan task of being on-stage for the entire show is Andrea Flax as Lucille Ball, and with only a little less stage time, Gio Castellano as Desi Arnaz. Both actors deserve a huge ovation for their sustained energy, characterization and endurance. Castellano is outstanding as the fiery Desi, without becoming a caricature. He is forever in love with Lucy, despite the ups and downs of the relationship. In fact, he seems to enjoy the turbulence. Flax seems a little underplayed at first, but at the beginning of her career (at about 18), Lucy was not as sure of herself. As the play progresses, Flax blooms as Lucy does.

Schwartz and producer Jim Belanger assembled a strong supporting cast, each actor solid in his or her stage presence and impact on the audience. Lauren Ustaszewski takes over as the jealous Vivian Vance (Ethel Mertz), who becomes one of Lucy’s closest friends by the time of her death. Geoff White plays the gravelly voiced, grouchy William Frawley (Fred Mertz) with gusto. Of special note is Jamie Lyn Bagley as Bette Davis. Davis, an icon of American cinema, studied with Lucille Ball in New York City. Bagley is a poised and luminous – a profound presence.

Rounding out the strong cast are Dave Almeida as Gary Morton (Lucy’s second husband), Christopher Cruz as Berman and Simon (strong influences on Lucy), Melissa Corbett is Hattie of the Modeling Agency, Sandy Cerel is Silvia, the talent scout who brings Lucy to LA,  Sue Donovan is the LA Times reporter, and Beatriz Lopez plays June Allyson. Josh Fontaine and Aaron Andrade convincingly play a variety of industry and studio executives.

Lucy plays on Nov. 7, 8, 9; 14, 15, 16; and 21, 22, 23 at Bell Street in Providence, RI. All show times are at 8 pm. Tickets are $10 each. Go to smarttix.com to order.