The TV Dinner Hour is an American sketch comedy review written by Richard O’Donnell, directed by Amy McKenzie, and performed by the New Age Vaudeville theater company in Chicago.
| The TV Dinner Hour | |
|---|---|
 (L-R) Megan Cavanagh, Michael Dempsey, Lisa Keefe, Richard O’Donnell, Todd Erickson, and Bobby McGuire | |
| Company | New Age Vaudeville |
| Genre | Sketch Comedy Musical Comedy Improvisation Slapstick |
| Show type | Open-run |
| Date of premiere | March 10, 1987 |
| Final show | June 13, 1987 |
| Location | Crosscurrents, Chicago Comedy Cabaret, Wis. |
| Creative team | |
| Producers | McKenzie & O'Donnell |
| Director | Amy McKenzie |
| Book Music Lyrics | Richard O'Donnell |
| Production Design Videographer | Peter Neville |
| Guest Star | Del Close |
| Other information | |
| Years Active | 1983-87 |
History
editGlidden Lodge resort
editThe TV Dinner Hour, has a book, music, and lyrics by Richard O'Donnell.[1] In the summer of 1986, it was originally produced and staged by Amy McKenzie, and featured the New Age Vaudeville comedy troupe at the Glidden Lodge resort in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin.[2]
Chicago, CrossCurrents
editOn March 10, 1987, It officially premiered at the CrossCurrents' cabaret theater, 3206 N. Wilton St., Chicago, Illinois.[3][1]
The TV Dinner Hour was one of the cult hits of the Chicago comedy boom of the 1980s.[1][4][3]
Production
editPrincipal creative team
editThe TV Dinner Hour was performed by the New Age Vaudeville Theater Co., members of Actor’s Equity Association (AEA). The set, props and videos were shot by NAV production designer Peter Neville, and produced by McKenzie and O'Donnell.
Kogan reviews
edit
The TV Dinner Hour had a successful run and was praised by Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune as "...a great show, uproariously funny and searingly intelligent."[3] He went on to write that New Age Vaudeville's talent was in presenting "...such TV fare as game shows, rock videos, sitcoms, kiddie shows, religious programs, and horror movies [that were] transformed into fodder for devilish fun."
Kogan continued, stating, "Improv guru Del Close had a spectacular running routine as the Rev. Thing of the First Generic Church of What's-His-Name". He also hailed the production as "Marvelously written by Richard O`Donnell and snappily directed by Amy McKenzie," and praising the ensemble, writing, "The TV Dinner hour included bravura comic acting by Megan Cavanagh, Bobby McGuire, Todd Erickson, O`Donnell and newcomers to New Age Vaudeville, Michael Dempsey and Lisa Keefe."[3]
In conclusion, Kogan surmised that both productions, An Evening with Elmore & Gwendolyn Putts and The TV Dinner Hour (running concurrently), were, "Among the most polished and clever productions of the season, a pair of devilishly inventive and challenging shows that won over critics and audiences."[4]
Cast
editWisconsin
edit(+denotes member of A.E.A.)
- Megan Cavanagh+
- Todd Erickson
- Dennis Kennedy+
- Amy McKenzie+
- Bobby McGuire
- Richard O’Donnell+
Chicago
edit(+denotes member of A.E.A.)
- Megan Cavanagh+
- Del Close+
- Michael Dempsey
- Todd Erickson
- Lisa Keefe
- Bobby McGuire
- Richard O’Donnell+
References
edit- ^ a b c Bommer, Lawrence (March 12, 1987). "Theatre: The TV Dinner Hour". Windy City Times.
- ^ Gerds, Warren (July 25, 1986), "New Age Vaudeville's TV Take", Green Bay Press Gazette, TV & the Arts
- ^ a b c d Kogan, Rick (March 20, 1987). "Comedy Uneven in Del Close's New Show and The TV Dinner Hour - double review". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
- ^ a b Kogan, Rick (May 3, 1987). "Vaudeville Troupe Takes Leave of City". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2 July 2012.