Subtitled, "A Sort of Romantic comedy," playwright Alan Zweibel pays tribute to an old friend who likes to take things "slowly." Spanning fourteen years from their first SNL staff meeting where Gilda Radner found Zweibel quaking behind a potted tree, the play sort of steals your heart, sort of makes one laugh and in the end sort of makes you cry.
Sort of.
The challenge with a play like "Bunny Bunny" lies in the fact that most of the audience already knows the outcome, at least on one level. A daunting task for the production then is to suspend the inevitable and to compel an emotional involvement early in the play that outweighs the steely resolve of anticipating the untimely death of one of America’s most beloved comediennes.
Unfortunately, the play doesn’t really find its legs or its funny bone for that matter until the start of Act II. This lag is primarily due to an overly burdened set up between Zweibel and Gilda, and a lack of chemistry between actors Michael Cotter and Elisa Morse.
There are some laughs in Act I, but most of them go to Bill Glass playing 25 bit roles throughout the play such as Waiter, Cameraman and Tree, all of which come dangerously close to stealing the show. As a general rule, trees should never upstage the cast.
Zweibel is a fine writer, but his play "Bunny Bunny" lacks theatrical necessity. The action flounces between career moves, bi-coastal realties and family commitments without ever centering the couple long enough for the audience to settle in. Although these are obvious obstacles in their relationship, it becomes distracting and reads like an MOW given the lapses and shifting frame of reference.
To Zweibel’s credit, however, he does avoid schmaltzy melodrama, and given the nature of their relationship and later Gilda’s struggle with cancer, this should be commended. There is also an evolution between the characters that makes the friendship interesting, but it becomes a bit strained by the constant verbal volley to which Gilda always gets the upper hand. Zweibel doesn’t pen his character as a heroic, unrequited lover, but a resentful and often perplexed pursuer to Gilda, who he affectionately calls "Gilbert." This provides a challenge to Gilda’s nonchalant candor, and gives the couple a dynamic that is bittersweet, but pleasurable to watch.
The title of the play "Bunny Bunny" references Gilda’s childhood ritual to say these two words her father taught her in order to keep the shadows and monsters away. Gilda’s father died when she was young, but she continued to evoke these words at the start of every month. Although Gilda cannot say these words, Zweibel closes the play with the promise that he will and so keeping her memory alive.
Offering bits from Gilda’s famous and hilarious characters on Saturday Night Live and her memorable and raunchy musical number, "Let’s Talk to the Animals," from Gilda Live! the play thankfully does not attempt to otherwise resurrect Gilda’s performances. Instead, much of Gilda’s scenes are pantomimed.
Elisa Morse is sweet and charming, penetrating the iron will shielded by irreverent wit with nuances of vulnerability, but lacking any fire or intensity. This lacking may be a credit to Gilda Radner’s legacy. Her shoes are simply too big for even the most talented of actresses to fill. At times the role swallows Morse up, leaving her to wobble around like a young girl playing dress up in her mother’s closet.
Michael Cotter as Zweibel plays the material, but never inhabits the role. The lack of sexual tension and genuine feeling between the actors causes many memorable scenes to fizzle. It becomes implausible then, that these characters would remain so close, which is frankly what the play is about.
"Bunny Bunny: A Sort of Romantic Comedy" sort of leaves the audience wishing for more. It’s funny, it’s sweet, and it’s touching, yet it is missing something. That something may be Gilda Radner. And she is missed.
A portion of the proceeds of this production will be donated to Gilda’s Club to help continue her important legacy.
"Bunny Bunny" runs to Oct. 31.
Hudson Guild Theatre
6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood.
Performances are on Tues and Wed at 8pm.
Tickets are $18 at the door, $15 if ordered at www.plays411.com/bunnybunny.
For reservations please call (323)960-5774
