Arts Center Theatre Shines in “Hollywood Arms”

Audience members settling into the Arts Center Theatre Friday night expecting a comedy, given the fact that Hollywood Arms is based on the memoirs of iconic comedienne Carol Burnett, were in for a surprise. While the two-and-a-half-hour dramedy (including a 15-minute intermission) had comedic moments, it was packed with the kind of real-life drama Burnett endured while growing up as the child of alcoholic parents, on welfare, in a dilapidated apartment in Hollywood between 1941 and 1951.

Alcohol abuse was a central theme in the play, co-written by Carol Burnett and her daughter, Carrie Hamilton, an actress, playwright and singer who died in 2002 at age 38 from pneumonia as a complication of lung cancer that spread to her brain. Hamilton never got to see the play, which debuted on Broadway in 2002.

Carol Burnett, 89, is a six-time Emmy winner whose greatest fame came from The Carol Burnett Show, a comedy variety show that ran from 1967-1979.

The play, directed by Marilee Warner, was performed by a cast of 10, some of whom were making their acting debuts in Hollywood Arms.

“I'm absolutely thrilled about how it turned out,” Marilee Warner said after Friday’s show. "My cast has worked so hard. This is not an easy piece because it has such variety; comedy plus this bittersweetness. I’m just thrilled at how they have just worked so hard and come up to the plate and really hit some points that I wanted to emphasize. I’m so pleased.”

Warner acknowledges that audiences are often surprised by the play.  

"People come with the expectation that it’s going to be a comedy because of Carol Burnett,” Warner said. "It’s really based on her life growing up. I think what’s wonderful is the bittersweetness that comes out of this piece. That’s what intrigued me about this piece. It’s multi-dimensional. It’s not just comedy.”

The Arts Center Theatre production features a veteran cast with a couple of actors making their debuts - Cristina Villarreal and Patrick Huey.

Villarreal plays the role of older Helen, the character based on Carol Burnett. Her commanding performance belies the fact that she’s a rookie in the thespian world.

Huey also turned in a credible performance in the role of Jody, Burnett’s father, in his theatrical debut. Of course, his real-life experience as a Naval flight officer undoubtedly trained him to be calm under pressure. He dabbled in the arts while a student at the University of Pittsburgh.

Leslie Sanderson played the role of Nanny, Carol Burnett’s grandmother. Sanderson looked every bit the part of a community theatre veteran.

Olivia Rodriguez played the role of young Helen. A 14-year-old student at Mason Classical Academy, Rodriguez delivered a poised performance.

Veteran actress Louise K. Cornetta performed well in the role of Louise, Carol Burnett’s alcoholic mother with aspirations to be a Hollywood writer. In real life, Cornetta is a longtime program director with ESPN. She has worked with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, including Shaquille O’Neal, Gisele Bundchen, Green Day, and the Cohen Brothers.

Marco Players veteran Gregg Birr performed admirably in the role of Bill, a love interest of Louise’s whom Nanny hoped would provide stability to her daughter’s life.

Ten-year-old Viscaya Phillips, a student at Tommie Barfield Elementary, plays the role of Carol Burnett’s little sister, Alice. The ambitious grade schooler will be modeling at New York Fashion Week this September.

Marco stage veteran Cindy Sepich was solid in her role as Dixie. Kyle Bittner, whose stage debut was last year, returned as Malcolm. Ty Szumigala, a former theater operator in Maumee, Ohio, was believable in his role as a police officer.  

Director Warner knows her way around a theatre, too, with a background as an actress, singer, director and producer in New York City, California, and Florida. She has a long list of Broadway and Off-Broadway theatrical credits.

“I feel that my cast has been so great in developing these characters,” Warner said. "They have absolutely gone and found the humor, the sweetness, and the tragedy of Carol Burnett growing up in this poverty-stricken environment. There’s such a sweetness about it.”

Hollywood Arms plays through April 2. Showtimes are 7:30 PM, with a Sunday matinee at 3:00 PM.  For tickets go to www.marcoislandart.org. Or call 239-394-4221.  You may also drop by the Marco Island Center for the Arts at 1010 Winterberry Drive, Monday- Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.