WE LOVED LOOPED

No catchy title and just no other way to say it. Tallulah Bankhead’s reputation precedes her. The world remembers this legend of stage, screen (big & small) and radio as outrageous, outspoken, and uninhibited. Some say her fame was a result of outrageous behavior rather than talent; we beg to differ.

There is much written about Ms. Bankhead (Tallulah, as she preferred to be called) and legend has it that she chain-smoked, drank nonstop and carried a handbag full of everything from cocaine to codeine. She allegedly had affairs with both men and women; it seems as if she lived to shock and outrage.

Playwright Matthew Lombardo really captured Tallulah in this script and notwithstanding the comments of many theatre critics; the play is not only campy but a great way to spend a couple of hours. It is funny, smart and human. Every word matters. Rob Ruggiero’s direction is “on the mark”. If your intention is to see Valerie Harper playing an older and more outrageous Rhoda Morgenstern you will be disappointed. If however; you attend a performance of LOOPED expecting to “meet” Miss Bankhead and fall in love with her, you will be thrilled. Ms. Harper IS Tallulah and she transfixes.

It’s easy for costume, make-up and hair to make Valerie Harper, a star in her own right, look like Tallulah. But it’s more than the look. Valerie clearly studied an enormous amount of footage form Bankhead’s heyday. She exhibits far more talent than we anticipated, becoming Tallulah for the two hours we sat right in front of the stage, hanging on to her every word and action. Given Tallulah’s reputation, this part is an open invitation to overact and kudos to everyone for staying just below that magic line.

Brian Hutchinson is Tallulah’s film editor who winds up having to work with her on this looping session, against his wishes and better judgment. The character is repressed and ultra conservative…and could have easily been overacted in contrast to Bankhead’s high energy. Brian does not disappoint and his chemistry with Valerie is wonderful as his character evolves.

We laughed for most of the evening. We sighed too at the very carefully written and acted poignant and character revealing moments. And we couldn’t get up on our feet fast enough with the rest of the audience to salute Valerie with not just a standing ovation, but one of a magnitude that was obviously unexpected by the cast. LOOPED is one of the few shows this season that is scheduled for a long run, which it richly deserves. Don’t miss this one. Harper has more than earned a Tony nod for her work.

Next up: CIRCUMCISE ME!