"I Ought To Be In Pictures" - A Review

As any of my friends will tell you, I love a good laugh.

But comedy's not easy to find these days. Most TV sitcoms leave me cold and wishing they could do a show like the original Andy Griffith Show or the Dick Van Dyke Show.

Since that's not likely, the best place to find a good laugh is by attending a funny stage show, because comedy's always better live and in person.

And you can catch one of the funniest shows in recent memory playing right now at the Renaissance Theater (which is, of course, the old Huntington High School).

The show is I Ought To Be In Pictures, and it tells the story of a 19-year-old girl who travels across the country to find her long-missing father. She needs answers to some difficult questions, and she decides that her father is the one to provide them.

Her father has his own problems - he's a down-on-his-luck writer who can't seem to actually write anything, and he's struggling with his relationship with his feisty girlfriend.

There are two reasons why this show is so good: first, it's written by Neil Simon, one of the best and funniest writers to ever have a show staged anywhere. Like all his best shows, it's loaded with clever, interesting characters, funny situations and a lot of heart.

The other reason why this show is good: it has a fantastic cast. There are only three actors, but as Spencer Tracy once said, they're choice.

Starring as Libby Ticker (the daughter) is Alissa Fetherolf, an incredibly talented actor who has starred in dozens of community theatre shows locally. It's always great to see a performer grow from being a talented young actor into an even more talented adult actor, and it's been a delight to see Alissa grow up on stage. She's always been a gifted actor, but this is her best performance yet (and that's saying something)! Here she plays a character who has to be both tough and tender, forceful but timid, and she manages it while creating a perfect New York accent and being very funny at the same time. Her comic timing is terrific, and she's outstanding in this show!

Playing the writer's girlfriend Steffy Blondell is the wonderful Leann Haines. She gets to play the center in this show - often finding herself in the middle between father and daughter, trying to balance the two extremes, while hoping to build her own relationship into something more meaningful. She's funny, feisty, always on target, has great stage presence and great comic skills.

Our veteran on this team is Clint McElroy, who plays Herb Tucker, the gruff, down-on-his-luck writer who finds himself at odds with the two women in his life. I could ramble on and on about Clint's outstanding acting or his incredible comedic skills, but surely anyone reading this article should already know that Clint is one of our stage treasures - an actor who is equally at home with drama or music, and a master at comedy. He wrings every last laugh out of this show, and there are a heck of a lot of laughs to be had. It's not easy to play a character who's both gruff and likable, but Clint manages it with ease. Just seeing his name on the marquee should be enough to convince you to see this show. Add in the other two talented actors, and you have a very funny show - in fact, I think this is one of Simon's best, even though it's not as well known as The Odd Couple.

Kudos to first time director Stephen Vance for hitting a home run on his first time at bat, and hats off to his tech and stage crew for all their hard work.

You still have several chances to see this show - I Ought To Be In Pictures will be presented at the Renaissance Center this afternoon at 3 p.m, and next weekend, Oct. 9 and 10 at 8 p.m. and at 3 p.m. Oct. 11.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants a good laugh! (And if you're not looking for a good laugh, nothing personal, but there's something wrong with you.)