If you’re a regular theatergoer here in Central New York, you may think you’ve seen a lot of actress Moe Harrington.
After all, she played Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl,” Keeley Stevens in “Pete’N Keeley,” Ellen in Jeff Kramer’s “Lowdown Lies” and Officer Celeste Luna in Donna Stuccio’s “Elegy in Blue,” not to mention any number of other leading roles as well as her annual self-produced cabarets.
Unless you’re her husband, however, you’ve never seen her the way she appears as Mrs. Robinson in “The Graduate,” playing through this weekend at the Civic Center’s Bevard Theater.
That’s right, Moe sheds every stitch in one memorable scene early in Act 1.
Not only is the actress’s flesh exposed in this stage version of the famous 1967 film. So is her soul.
Her acting chops have never been better, and Harrington capably captures Mrs. Robinson’s devil-may-care approach to life and love. Her portrayal of the booze-addled, unfaithful wife is a dynamic performance full of highs and lows including shouting and whispering, dressing and undressing, fighting and fornicating…
Under the watchful eye of director Garrett Heater, the entire cast of this “Graduate” follow Harrington’s lead to turn in yeoman performances.
Rob Fonda portrays Benjamin, the recent college graduate who’s the object of Mrs. Robinson’s seduction. Wil Szczech plays the cuckolded Mr. Robinson. Bob Fullenbaum and Katheryn Guyette portray Benjamin’s pushy parents and Kimberly Panek plays the Robinson’s attractive, college-age daughter.
In minor roles Geno Parlato, Erica Dutelle, Basil Allen and Bruce Paulsen round out the cast.
Since playwright Terry Johnson adapted the story for the stage by drawing upon the original novel by Charles Webb, don’t expect a scene-for-scene recreation of the film. But do expect an often gripping, occasionally humorous and always well-acted version of this coming-of-age classic.
The Covey Theatre Company continues its run of “The Graduate” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 20-21, at the Bevard Theater in the Mulroy Civic Center, 411 Montgomery St. Tickets cost $20; 420-3729; thecoveytheatrecompany.com.
Open mic at the Shire
Every Wednesday is Open Mike Night at the DeWittShire Tavern, 3010 Erie Blvd. East. Hosted by musicians Bob Holz and Jimmy Jennings, pickers and singers take the Shire stage from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesdays. Everyone’s welcome to perform, and admission is free; 446-2865.
Excelsior Cornet Band
The Excelsior Cornet Band plays a free concert at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 26, at Homer Center for the Arts, 72 S. Main St., Homer; (877) 749-2787. The ECB, led by Syracuse cornetist Jeff Stockham, performs military charts from the Civil War era.
AppleJazz returns June 4
Charlie Bertini’s 27th annual AppleJazz concert will be staged at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 4, at Dwyer Memorial Park on Little York Lake, in Preble, about 20 miles south of the city on Route 81.
AppleJazz is an annual happening presented by Cortland-bred, Orlando-based trumpeter Charlie Bertini. This year’s AppleJazz Band features Bertini, reedman Terry Myers, trombonist John Allred, drummer Dave Hanlon, bassist Ronnie France, keyboardist Jeff Phillips, guitarist Mark Doyle and vocalists Ronnie Leigh and Lauren-Jessica Bertini.
No tickets will be sold at the door; admission costs $35 for either concert seating or table seating. Children ages 12 and younger will be admitted free. Just 275 seats are available. Call (407) 248-2898; or visit applejazz.com.
On his AppleJazz Records label, Bertini recently released a new CD titled “Triology” also featuring keyboardist Jeff Phillips and drummer Eddie Metz Jr. The disc’s 13 tracks include “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” “Someday You’ll Be Sorry,” and “Caravan.”
Taxing toast
Stopped by the American Diner for breakfast the other day in Liverpool and noticed a morning meal deal on the menu:
The Obama/NYS Special – two eggs and toast, $1.99 + tax $17.99.
PBR ‘Pounder’
It’s got to be one of the city’s best bar beer bargains. You can buy a Pabst Blue Ribbon 24-oz. “Pounder” for an affordable $2 at the Limp Lizard Lounge. And, hey, the affable bar maids will even give you a frosted glass in which to pour the canned suds.
Lizard lineup
The Limp Lizard’s newest location, 210 First St. in Liverpool, stages a full lineup of live music this weekend.
The Lisa Lee Trio cranks out classic rock and R&B from 9 p.m. to midnight Thursday, May 19. Tuff Luck unpacks its horn cases at 10 p.m. Friday May 20, and the Miss E Trio entertains at ten o’clock on Saturday May 21. For Liverpool Lizard info, call 451-9774.
