Life

Scott Treadway back in 'Our Show of Shows'

"Our Show of Shows" brings back popular Playhouse veteran Scott Treadway and others.

By Bill Moss, Published: April 11, 2012

 But the main attractions were Sid Caesar and costar Imogene Coca, who paired up on outstanding live skits and parodies. Coca was a versatile performer, who could play aristocrats as well as hoboes; Caesar was fast-talking and dynamic. It was a tremendous weekly output for a relative handful of performers and after four years Caesar and Coca split up, but not before giving birth to sketch comedy, as we know it.

 The variety show indirectly launched a generation of movie, TV and theater comedy brilliance. This great classic not only launched the careers of such great comic geniuses as Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Carl Reiner, and Neil Simon just to name a few, but the show’s style of comedy inspired the many future comedians for generations to come such as Carol Burnett, Steve Allen, and Johnny Carson just to name a few and set the standard for comedy/variety shows of the future, shows like “The Carol Burnett Show” and “Saturday Night Live.” Carl Reiner has stated that the time he spent on “Your Show of Shows” was the inspiration for “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” “Your Show of Shows” also inspired the 1982 film “My Favorite Year,” produced by Mel Brooks, and the play “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” written by Neil Simon.

The creative team responsible for "Your Show of Shows" "Caesar's Hour" and Sid Caesar’s many TV specials continue to be some of the most respected, and funniest voices in the entertainment industry. Their legacy of films, theatrical productions and television shows continue to resonate with viewers – inspiring laughter even today. Sid Caesar went on to conquer every medium. A multiple Emmy award winner, Caesar went on to win the Tony Award for the Broadway production, "Little Me," and starred in such classic films as "Grease" and "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” Howard Morris went on to become Ernest T. Bass on "The Andy Griffith Show," as well as becoming a successful television director. Carl Reiner has directed many films including, "The Jerk," "Oh God," "All of Me," and "The Man With Two Brains." Woody Allen is an award-winning screenwriter, director, actor, comedian, author, and playwright, with such notable films as "Annie Hall," "Manhattan," and "Hannah and Her Sisters to name a few. Mel Brooks has won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and a Tony. Three of his films - "The Producers," "Blazing Saddles," and “Young Frankenstein” are listed in the top 100 comedy films of all-time. Larry Gelbart created the television series “MASH,” wrote the play "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," and won an Oscar for the screenplay of "Tootsie." Neil Simon is Broadway's most accomplished playwright, and has adapted many of his plays for the screen. Danny Simon, Neil’s brother, is an accomplished theater director. Mel Tolkin went on to help change the face of TV sitcoms with, "All in the Family."

 Flat Rock Playhouse will be the first theatre to ever to take the television skits and perform them as a theatrical presentation. For this world premiere production, audiences will have the opportunity to see nine of the original sketches performed live. The episodes included in the Playhouse production of Our Show of Shows will include: “This Is Your Story,” “At The Movies,” “Italian Double Talk” and six more sketches from TV's Golden Age. All performed by a comedy team that includes Scott Treadway, a local comedic force. The production will also feature long-time Playhouse actors Damian Duke Domingue, Preston Dyar and Brenna Yeary. Returning from last year’s comedy hit “Shear Madness” are Mary Ann Conk and Tom Wahl and introducing to the Playhouse stage are Maggie Lakis and Rob McClure.

Morris Broadband presents the Flat Rock Playhouse premier of Our Show of Shows, onstage May 3-20 on the Playhouse Mainstage in Flat Rock. Based on the original 1950’s variety show on NBC – “Your Show of Shows.” This brand new production will bring to life one of television's enduring treasures. For those who cherish its memory to those who are experiencing it for the first time, this new stage production will be a welcome gift of laughter.

Evening performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 and matinee performances are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00. Tickets to Our Show of Shows are $35 with discounts available for seniors, AAA members, military personnel, students and groups. During the first week of performances, a Rush Ticket Discount will be available May 3-5. The Playhouse will host a special audio described performance of the show for sight impaired patrons on Saturday, May 19, 2:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org. Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage is located at 2661 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock.