Sunday, September 24, 2017

"Bungalow Bunnies" -- The Musical

The following videos show scenes from a musical called Bungalow Bunnies.



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The musical was created by Gary Waldman and is described in his blog called Florida Theater.
The blog includes a review article titled Bungalow Bunnies is a hit at the Wilton Playhouse, which includes the following passages.

.... The stage is ablaze with many childhood antics (compliments of the adults once in us all), and the “swat” power is electric as a remembrance of the summer heat of the Catskills takes over. .... Bungalow Bunnies reflects Waldman’s youth and those glorious days of summer spent in the mountains.

Waldman’s tunes are catchy in this musical spoof. Take “Ruby the Knish Man” that takes on a resemblance of Fiddler’s “If I Were a Rich Man" ...

The “Noo Yawkers” visiting the mountains in the 70’s are a clever, lyrical bunch who enlighten Waldman’s reflections. Take some of the other song titles, “There’s Something Fishy,” “The Man Selling Shoes,” “The Pickle King Song,” to “Rainy Day Blues.” ...
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Waldman has written another musical, called What I Learned in Fallsburg, A review article includes the following passages:
Gary Waldman remembers that era well – because he lived it. He and his family were part of the bungalow brigade that made the annual summer trek to north New York for Jewish humor, fun and food. Inspired by those legends, he took to singing and dancing on stage at the age of 6. ...

As the self-proclaimed, fourth generation “American-Jewish kid from Queens” approached 50, he gathered up recollections of his 35-plus years as a producer, director, performer and composer in a mélange of musical memories called What I Learned in Fallsburg. ...

The autobiographical production gives Waldman a musical license to hit the high notes of his career that extends from Fallsburg, N.Y., in the heart of the Catskills, to South Florida, in the heart of Dixie. The combination of songs and skits includes Yiddish melodies, yuk-able song parodies and a few smooth tunes with pinpoint harmony, with help from other performers. ...

Waldman weaves stories about his life into this very personal pastiche. The Yiddish tunes catch fire with many of the New York transplants in the audience. And while the words may not mean much to you, the singer who spent 18 months learning the Germanic-sounding tongue modulates his voice to evoke laughter, sadness, sorrow and joy. In this way, the music truly tells the tale. One ...

Before he enters the Yiddish vein, Waldman delivers a well-heeled tune from Cab Calloway’s binder, “Minnie the Moocher.” As he walks the sparsely decorated stage, he comes up with another old-timer, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”

Before he leaves the Catskills, he invokes audience participation, asking folks who were also part of that era to recall some of the towns and hotels that once populated the mountain resort. He’s not finished with New York yet. This time, he heads for Brooklyn, specifically, the Loew’s Pitkin Theatre on Pitkin Avenue. He mentions more historic names, to the crowd’s delight, and recalls his first musical, which he wrote at age 29, Meet Me at the Pitkin.

He then offers up a parody that gets his audience laughing. It’s a tale about a comedian who gets whacked by the mob. Called “Blame it on La Cosa Nostra,” it’s sung to the tune of “Blame It on the Bossa Nova.”

The show’s conclusion is an interesting mix. Waldman talks of his own arrival in Florida where he has written shows and songs. He skewers property associations with his song, “Al Shapiro, the condo commando.” ... Waldman’s look-back becomes particularly poignant with his tender rendition of “Yesterday When I was Young.” ....

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