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Home , Carl Reiner, Imogene Coca, Larry Gelbart, Max Liebman, Mel Brooks, Mel Tolkin

volume 30, issue 2 30, volume 2019 november “ Why LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR? by David Cecsarini

Twenty-one years ago, HE COULD DO ANYTHING as we were preparing our was a tall, strapping, staged reading of ’s rubber-faced acting powerhouse LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR, whose bottomless comedic in- I was introduced to the singu- vention found expression through lar and colossal comedic genius, fluid movement and superb vocal Sid Caesar. Simon was a rookie acrobatics. Sifting through the writer for Caesar in 1953, and his many video recordings of Your play is a loving tribute to the cra- Show of Shows or Caesar’s Hour, ziest writers’ room in . the breadth and depth of his cre- I had some vague notion of who ative talents are simply astonish- Sid Caesar was and that he did ing. Though his natural a 90-minute live broad- accent colored many of Caesar’s cast, , back Sid Caesar characterizations, he was also a in early TV. But the immersion fokkers vas Messerschmitts!” I master of other accents, includ- course of specific study, as often can remember us watching the ing the utterance of approximate happens in our business, brought 60s TV comedy Hogan’s Heroes, foreign languages known as dou- Isaac Sidney Caesar into full fo- with wonderful actors John Ban- ble talk. French, German, Italian, cus, context and prominence ner and taking Russian, Japanese: he could carry within the pioneering world of it on the chin for the Luftwaffe. on in the veneer of most any for- television in the . Harry also loved to play the Ger- eign language, adding in an oc- man, French, Irish or British DJ, casional English word, phrase or And as I have come to know him reference for the punch-line. a bit better, I’ve fallen under his making cassette recordings for spell. Also, somehow, I felt as if I my two sisters, Linda at UW-Mad- Though Caesar was the franchise had met this man before. ison and Lois at U. of Iowa. talent on the Your Show of Shows and Caesar’s Hour teams, CLOSE TO HOME Learning more about Caesar, it fi- nally made sense: my dad must he was by no means a one-man My dad, Harry Cecsarini, was ed- band. Producer ucated as an engineer but a part have taken great pleasure and of him retained a love for creative inspiration from Sid Caesar and Continued, next page theatrical expression: singing, those early days of miraculous Harry Cecsarini storytelling, voices and mimic- 1950s television. My mom backs ry. When at his best, he enjoyed me up on this theory, as far as telling a good joke or story. The saying, “Oh yes, we watched ones he told most required ac- Your Show of Shows religious- cents. And I think the accent he ly on Saturday nights.” Dad and liked best was German. He loved Sid even shared the same birth the “shpitzes” and “dumkopfs” year, 1922. So, here was a really and that one crazy fighter plane funny guy on a brilliant come- punch-line that made no sense dy show, same age, similar look, in German: “Fokkers? Ya, dem doing things that Harry Cecsari- ni enjoyed doing naturally, in his Continued, page 2 own world. You might say that Inside This Issue my connection to Sid Caesar was Who Will Buy This Wonderful Feeling? 3 almost hereditary. Join the Clean Plate Club! 3 The Geniuses of Your Show of Shows 4 Teaching Shakespeare’s Language 6 LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR is generously sponsored by With a Sardonic Eye 7 Sheldon & Marianne Lubar Why LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR continued Who Will Buy This Wonderful Feeling? by Jane Flieller understood that Sid needed good writers and act- He understood that his writers gave him an infinite ing colleagues to supercharge his innovative skills array of platforms from which to launch brilliant Who really wants another fruitcake? Perhaps you’d like to consider a gift to Next Act and bring to life their collective ideas of what live journeys into unexplored comedic territory – they Ugly sweater?? Talking doorknob??? How about the Theatre. There are several ways to help: TV comedy could be. , were his life blood. perfect gift? The one that can be kept forever? An Consider a tax-deductible donation in any and Howie Morris formed the tight-knit troupe who experience they’ll never forget! Consider giving the amount. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organiza- IT’S ABOUT THE PEOPLE could support Sid in all the crazy sketches churned gift of live theatre! Here are three good reasons: tion, Next Act Theatre relies on the generosi- Neil Simon’s LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR is a out from the writers’ room. ty of our patrons, foundations, and sponsors celebration of this family of comedic crazies, as An experience will last a lifetime. Next Act is as ticket sales only cover about half the cost DREAM TEAM remembered from his very junior position in the committed to producing stories that encourage of producing great live theatre. Every penny And what writers! , Neil and broth- writers’ room at NBC in the early 1950s. We catch discussion, stirring the heart and mind. Take counts, but did you know that $1,000 or more er Danny Simon, , , Woody them at a critical time, as TV tastes (according to someone – send someone. puts you right in the heart of our Producer’s Cir- Allen, (all would have great writ- the corporate big shots) are changing, and pres- It’s affordable. Next Act offers the best prices cle, earning you rewards like a special invitation ing careers), Reiner and Caesar too: they formed sure is applied from on high to dilute their exquisite in town for live, professional theatre. to an annual reception and sneak peek of the a fiercely competitive, highly-pressurized comedy zaniness to run-of-the-mill humor that the “whole fall show! laboratory that produced 90 minutes of live materi- country” can understand. Through these trials, Si-  Buy a gift certificate to be redeemed for al every week, for seven seasons. They wrote smart mon’s Sid Caesar stand-in, Max Prince, stands up tickets to any performance. Didn’t use AmazonSmile! If you shop online at comedy, long sketches that could incorporate cliché for the show and his team, to fight for what they the whole amount at ? No problem! Amazon, you can raise money for Next and bombast along with subtlety and wit, always all believe is good, and right. It’s a noble struggle, We’ll keep your line of credit open until Act Theatre! From your browser, go to with an eye toward what Mel Tolkin called, “the hu- firmly rooted in the human condition, which is why the certificate expires. And the certifi- Smile.Amazon.com/ch/39-1553360 (for ease, man condition.” They competed with and against Simon’s play is both very funny and deeply touch- cate is good for twelve (12) months from bookmark it on all your devices). Amazon will each other for their sketch ideas, for Caesar’s favor, ing. And that’s why LAUGHTER has made it once date of purchase, even if it falls in the fol- donate 0.5% of of your eligible Ama- for status in the room; but mostly, they compet- again to the Next Act stage. lowing season! zonSmile purchases to Next Act. AmazonSmile ed together to do the best show possible, week in has all the same items that Amazon does, so I’m pretty sure it’s a play that Harry Cecsarini would  Don’t forget – we offer student and and week out. Above the fray, they were one crazy, when you shop, shop for Next Act! enjoy. I’m hoping you will too. senior discounts, too! comedy family. Nothing supports us more See you at the theatre. Live theatre is unique and fun. Nothing beats Come to a show! Despite his tremendous talents and on-screen ce- gathering with other folks and sharing stories than our audience. We’re committed to bringing lebrity, Sid Caesar remained a humble, generous that are immediate and engaging. No two per- you the best in compelling theatre produced in and grateful man who appreciated his colleagues, formances are quite the same and the ephem- an intimate setting, featuring the best of local, their talents, and their contributions to the work. eral nature of live theatre creates a one-of-a- professional talent. Plays are chosen with the kind experience. intent to stimulate thought, foster the exchange of ideas and promote new perspectives and un- derstanding. Come for a Personal Preview or stay for a Talkback. Enjoy a delicious beverage from our full-service bar and take in the vari- ous visual arts exhibits in the lobby. And bring a friend! Happy Holidays from all of us at Next Act Theatre. We wish you a peaceful and productive 2020.

Join the Clean Plate Club! Next Act Theatre is teaming up with the Hunger Task Force this holiday season, and we need your help! The Hunger Task Force tells us they are in need of certain items this year, so here’s what you can do: NEXT ON TAP... Melms Brewing When you come down to Next Act to see LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR, we encourage you Saturday, November 30, 2019 • 7 pm to bring a couple cans of low-sodium vegetables for our food drive. Our goal is to gather 300 pounds of canned vegetables to help feed families in need. Be sure these items aren’t expired Melms Brewing Company is the rebirth of one of Milwaukee’s so we can use them to put a smile on the faces of hungry folks! original brewing powerhouses. Any questions? Call Jane at 414-278-7780 or email [email protected]. Thank you for your help!

2 3 The Geniuses of Your Show of Shows by Jody Hirsh, Judaic Education Director at Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center

It was the early 50s. The Cold War was the original writers of Your Show of Shows. The play even reenacts the creation of the famous of gaining in intensity. People were beginning to build A Glossary of Words personal fallout shelters to withstand the threat the 1953 film version of Shakespeare’s JULIUS CAE- of nuclear war. Wisconsin’s Senator Joseph McCa- DRECK Garbage SAR starring Marlon Brando as Mark Antony. rthy was intensifying the search for Communists in FAHRBLUNGETT Crazy/Confused Kenny: What dost thou seekest in the . Writers and performers were blacklisted constellations, Caesar? by the House Un-American Activities Committee. KISHKAS Gut, intestines Max: (Reads, doing Brando.) A clustuh a stahs But on Saturday nights, America tuned in to the SCHMUCK Prick, in da heavens. phenomenally popular Your Show of Shows. Ameri- a mean or unpleasant person ca needed laughter, and on Saturday nights, we got Brian: And by what name dost this cluster be SCHLUB A hapless, sloppy person what we needed. called, oh, Caesar? OY VEY “Oh Woe,” The first commercial TV broadcasts began in 1947. Max: It is called Stelluh ... Stelluh! Stulluh for an exclamation of dismay were black and white only, and TV shows Stahlight! (Max smiles as Max.) That’s good. I often used ironically were broadcast live. From February 25, 1950, until Imogene Coca & Sid Caesar like that... Good joke, Kenny. TOOCHIS Fanny June 5, 1954, Your Show of Shows was a live weekly A young , too, wrote for Sid Caesar in The references in LAUGHTER are thinly veiled ones 90-minute broadcast. Live. Memorized. Performed Caesar’s next project, Caesar’s Hour. In a writer’s to the real creators of Your Show of Shows. And without cue cards or teleprompters. The show, pro- world of men, Caesar and Liebman had the vision Simon’s writing is a tribute to the Jewish writers of duced by Max Liebman, featured the stellar come- specifically to include women, Lucille Kallen and early television. The writing is full of Yiddish words dy team of Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca (who had Selma Diamond, among the male writers. A young and archetypical Jewish irony. The background is already proven themselves in Liebman’s Admiral Neil Simon began his career as one of the writers, the turmoil of the paradoxes of life of the 1950s. Broadway Revue) augmented by the mercurial Carl and based his 1993 play LAUGHTER ON THE Reiner and puckish . In the few years 23RD FLOOR on the extraordinary experience. The before Your Show of Shows, there were other vari- Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, writers’ room in the Show, written Mel Tolkin, Sid Caesar ety shows, and other comedy sketches performed by Carl Reiner, was also based on the Your Show of live on TV, but this monumental series is often cred- Shows writers’ room. ited with the invention of TV comedy. Those of us It’s no accident that the writers were almost all who viewed the show on Saturday nights will never Jewish, with the exception of Tony Webster. The forget some of the classic routines – The German LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR is fiction but show premiered five years after the Holocaust, at a Professor, Doris & Charlie Hickenlooper, the Cuckoo time when the Hollywood Blacklist targeted, among Clock, whole monologues spoken in fake foreign based on the very real history of the original TV , Your Show of Shows. Each of the others, Jewish writers and performers. Humor had languages, movie , and other legendary always been a Jewish tool to combat tragedy and The comedy of Your Show of Shows, as it is in the characters in the play is based on a real writer. sketches. suffering. Even in the concentration camps of the fictional Max Prince Show, is never overtly politi- And behind all of it were the writers. Liebman, the Nazi Regime, told jokes. A famous joke from cal. LAUGHTER, however, captures the milieu. In a Lucas Brickman producer, assembled a team of comic geniuses who the period is as follows: scene in which the Russian-born head of the writing Neil Simon met in the celebrated Writers’ Room in the NBC- team, Val Slotsky, announces the death of Stalin, he It’s a little-known fact, that toward the end of continues: TV office building. Mel Brooks was specifically re- Max Prince Hitler’s power, he consulted a famous fortune cruited by Caesar and gained the reputation as the Sid Caesar teller, wanting to know the exact date when Val: There’s more news. The U.S. State most irritating, but also funniest, guy in the room. he would die. “Your death,” said the fortune Department just announced they have Kenny Frank teller, “will be on a Jewish holiday.” “Which positive proof that Russia has the hydrogen Larry Gelbart (and maybe Carl Reiner) Your Show of Show writers one?“ a terrified Hitler asked. The fortune bomb. Standing, L-R, Danny Simon, Gary Belkin, Neil Simon Val Slotsky teller replied, “Whatever day you die will be a Lucas: ! That is scary. Seated, L-R, Mel Brooks, Mel Tolkin Jewish holiday!” Val: Tell my children. Because they’re the ones Tony Webster, Mel Tolkin, Sid Caesar Almost 40 years af- who will inherit the devastation the focking Brian Doyle ter the close of Your politicians left them. Tony Webster Show of Shows, Neil LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR captures a mo- Milt Fields Simon, then an es- ment in history, written by an eye witness. It is a Sheldon Keller tablished playwright, tribute to the pioneering beginnings of broadcast penned LAUGHTER TV and a very funny reenactment of the legendary Carol Wyman ON THE 23RD FLOOR Writers’ Room of Your Show of Shows. Lucille Kallen & Selma Diamond based on his own ex- perience. While not Ira Stone Sid Caesar being documentary Mel Brooks theatre, the charac- ters are inspired by 4 Continued, next page 5 Teaching Shakespeare’s Language by Grace DeWolff With a Sardonic Eye: The Art of Jerrold Belland by Jim Toth

Artists can be a pretty seri- This season, Next Act Theatre launched a new I have secret goals – ones I don’t overtly state to the class. It’s my belief that studying the language ous bunch, especially when it arts education initiative that takes Shakespeare comes to their art. Just read a directly into schools. you use daily helps you express yourself better – and there is research that suggests that when you few typical artist’s statements When did you first learn about William Shakespeare? expand your emotional vocabulary, you are liter- and you will see what I mean. Was it in a high school freshman English class? Did ally able to feel those emotions more deeply. Al- Most are heady, academic exer- a parent drag you to the theatre, and once your ear dous Huxley describes discovering Shakespeare in cises in expounding deep aes- was tuned to the language, did you begin to lean his book “Brave New World” thusly: “The strange thetic, spiritual and/or social forward in your seat? Did someone dump the Com- words rolled through his mind; rumbled, like talking intentions through the use of Jerrold Belland plete Works on your desk and tell you to read it? thunder ... What did the words exactly mean? He a vocabulary and syntax rarely Was the BBC’s Television Shakespeare on one day only half knew. But their magic was strong.” seen elsewhere. And then there in the early ‘80s? is Jerrold Belland, our featured gallery artist for Neil It’s my hope that I can pass on some of that magic Simon’s LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR: My goal as a teacher is to give high school students to the next generation. I’m so lucky that Next Act a positive experience with the Bard, one they’ll has allowed me to begin my Classroom Shake- hopefully remember fondly enough to buy a ticket speare workshops this year! It is my favorite thing to a play, put a Shakespeare movie on their Netflix to do, and I hope the program continues to evolve cue, or audition for a role at school. We start with and adapt to student needs – just like the English what they know – I ask them how or if they’ve en- language. countered Shakespeare before (some have, some haven’t) and what they think about it. The spec- trum of experience and opinion is wide and varied – some young people think it’s boring and not relat- Shorewood High School students able, some young people think it’s exciting and fun. Then, we put Shakespeare where he belongs in historical context: about a century and a half af- ter the printing press was invented, and only about 50 years before the first colony at Jamestown. We talk about what that means for the English lan- guage – Shakespeare’s original texts have early modern vocabulary but no grasp yet of grammar or spelling. We talk about how English evolves (and the students attempt to keep me up to date on the Vision of Mortality new hip lingo – although I’m told nobody says “hip” Museum fellowship and decided to return to an ear- anymore) and once we feel prepared, we dive into Girl in Roadwork ly , cartooning, with a vengeance. In quick Shakespeare’s verse structure, dirty jokes, and col- “Each day, driving to my studio down Memorial , he published four books of cartoons. orful characters. We don’t just read; we play. Drive, a story unfolds before my eyes like a movie His dark view of politics led to his third book, “Scott NEXT ACT BOARD OF DIRECTORS being played out on a screen. I am drawn to stories Walker in Hell and Other Delights” which was quick- SKYLINE CATERING and I make art that tells stories. It’s a long tradi- ly followed by another about the first year of the Creating events for the downtown Milwaukee area since 1997. PRESIDENT tion, this business of narrative art, and I’m proud Trump presidency, “, the First Hun- We are proud sponsors of Next Act Theatre! Dave Anderson to be part of it. I am told that there is a genuine dred Years.” VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY comic element in my work. I am happy about that. Daniel P. Murray Joyce Mielke We are honored to feature a collection of Jerry’s art, I am happy that I can translate my dark view of the representative of his always perceptive, sometimes TREASURER IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT world into something that will make people smile.” sardonic, impressions of our everyday world. Tom Gauthier Cathryn Jakicic What could be simpler or more straight forward? Jerry lives with his wife in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin Terri Alioto Kelsey Lawler Sean Rierdon Who could be a better fit for pairing with a play by and maintains a studio in the inner city of Racine. Michael Burzynski* Steve Marcus* Susan Schoenfeld Neil Simon? I certainly couldn’t think of anyone else. At 70 years old, he still maintains a rigorous studio Contact Ernie or Robin for your next corporate or personal Mohammad N. ElBsat Donna Martynski Sandra Zingler breakfast, lunch, dinner or appetizer event. Jerrold (Jerry) Belland was born and raised on a practice. For more information and examples of his [email protected] | [email protected] | 414.294.4808 John McGivern * Past President dairy farm near Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. As a grad- art, visit jerrybellandart.net uate of UWM with a master’s degree, he has been WHAT’S NEXT is a quarterly publication of Next Act Theatre making art since the early 70s. In his long career, Jim Toth is a retired art educator, now in his 255 S. Water Street | Milwaukee, WI 53204 • 414-278-7780 he has won over 100 awards in various art exhi- sixth season as Next Act’s volunteer gallery www.nextact.org • email [email protected] bitions, and his work hangs in hundreds of private curator. Editors Rebecca Moder & David Cecsarini Layout Rose Delaney and public collections. In 2012, he won a Racine Art 6 7 PO Box 394 Milwaukee, WI 53201

Box Office 414-278-0765 Administration 414-278-7780 255 S. Water St. • Milwaukee, WI 53204 www.nextact.org E-mail [email protected]

Did You Know?

• Your Show of Shows was nominated for seven • Sid Caesar developed the technique of double-talk Emmys, winning two. while waiting tables in his parents’ restaurant. • The popularity of Your Show of Shows is said • Sid Caesar played Coach Calhoun in the movie to have impacted the attendance at Broadway (1978). productions on Saturday nights. • The role of Max Prince in LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD • In 2000, 137 of the scripts for Your Show of Shows FLOOR was originally played by , were found in a closet in City Center in followed by . City. They were put there by producer Max Liebman, and the closet, which had been locked for about 40 years, was painted shut.

The writers for Your Show of Shows had successful careers long after the show ended. Some of them were part of the most iconic productions in television and film history. Larry Gelbart wrote for M*A*S*H • Mel Tolkin wrote for • Tony Webster wrote for Selma Diamond appeared in It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, Twilight Zone: The Movie and Night Court Mel Brooks , , and many, many, many more

LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR is generously sponsored by Sheldon & Marianne Lubar