Old folk finding a future, celebrities channel the past

If you’re looking for “eye candy” you can fight for a ticket for Broadway’s “Betrayal” and gaze upon Daniel Craig (the husband) and Rachel Weisz (his cheating wife) as the revival of Harold Pinter’s dreary 1978 drama rewinds the tale of her long-time in fidelity with hubby’s best friend (played by Rafe Small) from end to beginning. But if you want to revel in a glorious comedy with real heart — make a beeline to off-Broadway instead.
Richard Abrons’ “Every Day a Visitor,” set in a Jewish home for the aged in the Bronx that’s seen more prosperous days, may have you squirming at first — as we meet the cranky, feisty, back-stabbing residents seated at two bridge tables in the home’s common room. These seniors have heard each other’s tales of past grandeur and present woes till they can recite them, trapped with skimpy, boring food, few amenities and each others annoying to disdainful company.
They squabble — with considerable humor in their lone group occupation of trying to play bridge (a big joke in itself) until — in desperation — the group turns to a new perspective to enhance their respect for their disgruntled peers — and themselves: They will each choose to become somebody famous, worthwhile and respected — and expect to treat and be treated as such.
The seniors choose a president who creates a group motto to chant: “This is Not a Waiting Room!” A far cry from the former war cries of baiting and bad mouthing: where anyone in search of the comforts of companionship had been deposited at the wrong address.
Playwright Abrons has had to give our audience banter as stale as the resident’s menu and worn as their residence itself as background for the miracle that then occurs at the Clurman Theatre on Theatre Row. For among the resident’s new credo is a stipulation that if anyone has to be hospitalized they will have a visitor every day from the home. No more the loneliness of isolation. The rule has benefits far beyond its expectations as a positive attitude grows among such now valued “friends” as Oprah Winfrey and her ilk! A setting that was a tense battlefield becomes, instead, a place to sing and dance together, to form warm new relationships, to see the best in each other — and finally, when one resident does fall gravely ill to surround him with caring — in person.

The rich, heart-warming dramatic comedy of a second act that left our audience cheering is wonderfully acted by Bern Cohen, Teddy Coluca (as the lone “outsider” non-Jew at the home), George Morfogen (as Stoopak), Henry Packer, Joan Porter, Janet Sarno and Susan Thompson — with Raphael Nash Thompson the perfect “attendant/manager” and Irma-Este La Guerre both as a home aide and a late entrance surprise benefactor.
Ultimately heartwarming, with a Second Act rich in humor and poignancy—a finally memorable, uplifting ”Every Day a Visitor,”—with kudos to director Margarett Perry and bravos to Abrons is a must visit. The experience will change your own perspective on the challenges faced by the elderly, and their need for caring companionship so their lives will never become “a waiting room.”
(410 West 42nd Street, tickets at telecharge.com or 212-239-6200)

‘Celebrity Autobiography’
Since 2008, theatergoers in the know have been flexing their laugh muscles at the expense of readings of tidbits from the autobiographies of the famous and infamous. These rare sellout evenings, dubbed “Celebrity Autobiography,” are now on the near calendar. For the laughs of (possibly) your life the place to be on Monday, Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 is Stage 72 (formerly The Triad, 158 West 72nd Street)
Created by Eugene Pack and Dayle Reyfel, the press has done cartwheels over the years as major celebrities have melded with a rotating cast of hilarious semi-permanent talents to share the life and times of such as the coming two evening’s recollections “Celebrity Autobiographies.”
On Nov. 25, the evening’s line-up, titled “Celebrities love for their Co-Stars.” Tony Danza will read David Cassidy talking about his night with Susan Dey, his TV sister on “The Partridge Family.” And Reyfel will read Marilu Henner (TV’s “Taxi”) dishing about her many nights with Danza, who was also on “Taxi.”
In addition, Sherri Shepherd will read from the memoirs of Elizabeth Taylor and Beyoncé, while Rachel Dratch is expected to share the thoughts and feelings of Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. If Shepherd and Dratch are not household names to you they are to anyone who’s shed tears of laughter at their antics over the years. The Dec. 2 cast will include Mario Cantone, Scott Adsit, Jennifer Tilly and regulars Eugene Pack, Alan Zweibel and, on both nights — a surprise guest or three.
Kick off your holidays with tickets for both evenings at www.smarttix.com.