"There wasn’t one person in that audience, as the various songs banged out at top speed and the girls danced and sang, who didn’t think they were indeed in a 1920 speakeasy, so transporting was this performance." Dans Papers 6/22/07
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The Independent
Kiss & Tell
March 18, 2009
Belly Laughs
By Heather Buchanan
In winter we all have great intentions to organize our closets, learn transcendental meditation and write the great American novel. Instead we're lucky if we get around to throwing out our socks with holes (which leaves us barefoot in the snow) and become addicted to Gossip Girl instead of the Dalai Lama. And as far as all that writing is concerned, we don't get much father than "milk, toothpaste, diet dog food."
Luckily there is someone out there with loftier goals and more caffeinated energy. Eric Jacobson brought together his comedically gifted troupe of players to go out to the barn or in this case a pretty upscale barn with better bathrooms, Bay Street Theatre, to put on the play "Ruthless."
Channeling his inner enfant terrible, Eric played the leading role of the criminally talented 10 year-old Timmy (say that 10 times fast) whose forays into show business are lethal. The play which chronicles a show biz family gone wrong is very funny but it is the cast that put the humor over the top. In true Carol Burnett fashion, they had as much fun as the audience, cracking each other up. The technical foibles and ad libs turned musical theatre lemons into laugh out loud lemonade. Who knew how much fun one could have with a motorized wheel chair? It was truly a testament to talent and a bright spot in a bleak winter. Clearly this was no time for Chekhov.
Although "Ruthless" only ran one weekend we should keep an eye out for the play's revival in the season.
What was great to see is the Hamptons artist can-do tradition. Leaders instead of imitators, the writers, painters, sculptors, food mavens, and thespians have used their non Gossip Girl watching time to great effect. It's easy for someone to say that it can't be done. But if we had all listened to that we'd have no abstract expressionists, Breakfast at Tiffany's, or Martha Stewart inspired decoupage trash baskets.
We are blessed with emerging talent here and should appreciate the chance to be their cultural guinea pigs and enjoy their blossoming careers. Unfortunately the piping plover receive more attention and concern than do our local artists, and while we may not notice if the plover become extinct it would be a sad day at happy hour if the artists disappeared.
And in the midst of winter, talent which can make us laugh out loud is truly an emotional elixir. They say that laughter is the best medicine, and although clearly said by someone who'd never tried Zoloft, it certainly is powerful. Not emotional multi-taskers, we find it hard to laugh and be depressed, bitter, or so angry you think your toenails are going to fly off when you're snorting milk out your nose.
In my book, or my very long grocery list, a talent for humor is a gift and those writers, actors, and directors who hone those skills are a blessing. In an age where after too many horror movies clowns are just creepy, we need someone to make us laugh. So a shout out to Eric Jacobson's theatre production company and to Kmart for selling five pairs of new socks for three dollars.
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"We don't measure our growth by how well people sing or how well people dance compared to last year . . . What we are trying to do is instill in people the belief that they can do something they don't think they can do." East Hampton Press 4/23/08
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"We want others to realize that they have untapped talents." Independent 5/30/07
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Testimonial from Company Member
I began my love of musical theater relatively late in life in 2003. I loved being on stage but I often felt very aware of my age in comparison to others in the theater. I loved to sing but I was very self conscious about not knowing how to dance very well. I also had never acted before and was afraid to take risks with the roles in which I was cast.
When I joined the Jacobson Center for the Performing Arts, my fears were quickly allayed. Eric Jacobson had the unique ability to create challenging choreography yet was able to break each step down so that each dancer, regardless of skill level, could precisely execute the moves.
Eric has the amazing ability to teach comedy, which is one of the most difficult aspects of acting to master. He encourages us to take risks in every part. Whenever I feel I am going too far with a joke he just smiles and says “I love it – keep it!”
I think one of the most wonderful things about the JCPA is the “no diva” policy. Every member of the cast, no matter how large or small their part, is treated with equal importance. In turn, each member is expected to behave as part of a team effort. In actuality, the chorus and dancers have so much more work to do than the character roles. They have to be extremely exact with every dance move in every song. JCPA is one of the few theater companies that acknowledges this fact and strives to make sure equal credit is given.
Cast members have the opportunity participate in all aspects of the production of the JCPA shows. Eric allows us to express ourselves creatively, often inviting us to write our own monologues and skits and then actually using the material we present. His direction greatly enhanced one of my skits, “The Lucky Strike Diet”, and made it funnier than I ever thought it could be. There was nothing like performing my own material and actually getting laughs.
Most importantly, JCPA is like a family. We learn together, we encourage each other, and we work collectively to create the best shows ever. I have made some wonderful connections with the members of the company that I know will last a lifetime.
Susan Vinski
(AKA: Suzette Devereaux)
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"One thing everyone at the The Jacobson Center for the Performing Arts, Ltd shares is a dream." Independent 6/30/07
| 'The Hamptons witnessed the beginnings of a remarkable theater group late last week. And the crowd loved it." Dans Papers 6/22/07
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". . . get people to reach inside themselves and find something they didn’t know existed -- a strength, a talent, motivation." EH Press 6/13/07
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"The Jacobson Center for the Performing Arts, Ltd. Is a new, not-for-profit organization dedicated to bringing musical theater instruction to all ages in East Hampton and Southampton." Independent 6/30/07
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"This entity is much greater than the sum of its parts." Independent 5/30/07
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"Unlike traditional dance schools, the Jacobson Center takes a hands-on approach to performing and uses a series of rehearsals rather than the conventional classroom format." East Hampton Press 4/23/08
| "If I had known I’d go through life as KitKat, I might have chosen something more dignified." Newsday, 6/10/07
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"It's gonna be crazy." I came up with this idea from when I used to work in dance schools and I did recitals, and recitals were so boring." The East Hampton Press 4/23/08
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"It’s life changing – that’s why we’re doing it, because it’s changed our lives." EH Press 6/13/07
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"The alter-ego method he’s developed, he says is an amazing tool." Newsday 6/10/07
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Testimonial of Company Member
The J.C.P.A means a lot to me. I was so mesmerized at how much we have accomplished in the past year. There are so many talented people that make up the JCPA making it a triple threat. We have people that excel in dancing, and people that excel in singing/acting. Everyone in the J.C.P.A has a special talent that they can bring to class or that they can put into the shows to make it more fun. We are all different and we come from different places and I think that is what makes up a good dance company not just one of those 8 week classes and then there is a recital at the end of it. At the JCPA, we aren't forced to be something or live up to a certain standard; we are pushed to be ourselves and be the best we can be. I was overjoyed when I first found out that I was welcomed into the company. Joan and Eric are two phenomenal instructors who make sure that everyone is in a place where you feel you can do your best. If you think that you're really great at acting, they would maybe put you in a dancing part because Joan and Eric want you to be good at dancing as well as acting and singing; They would not do that to make you uncomfortable. The JCPA is changing the way people think about themselves. One of the most genious things they have thought of was to create a character. One who could be identical to your real self, or someone who could be completely different. Being in a situation where your real self couldn't handle something, your character could possibly help you prevail.
Alexandra Bates, a/k/a Rose, JCPA-
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"People need something in their lives that they are passionate about." Independent 5/30/07
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