Imagine a life of obsessively sharpened pencils, lovingly prepared
coffee and fresh cookies, all delivered with a smile. Imagine a
secretary who wears a smart skirt suit that complements her
perfectly flipped hair. No, this isn't an image out of the '50s,
this is "Shirley at the Tropicana," and it takes place in the here
and now.
Shirley Johnson is a relentlessly perky but fastidious secretary who
will do anything to please her boss, whom she secretly adores. She
dreams of marrying said boss, Mr. Arnaz, who doesn't know about (or
at least won't acknowledge) her feelings. One day, the temp agency
sends a blonde bombshell named (what else?) Marilyn her way, and
Shirley ends up sabotaging herself with her jealousy.
To tell more would give away fun plot twists, but suffice it to say
that Shirley is loaded with adventure and there are plenty of comic
characters along the way. These characters are only made more
amusing by the fact that they're played by the same talented woman.
"Shirley" is a one-woman show that is written and solely performed
by the very talented NYU grad Amanda Ronconi. She infuses Shirley
and the rest of her characters with a comedic life she so skillfully
portrays, executing each line, facial expression and body movement
perfectly.
The dialogue is funny and light, with some clever twists, but
Ronconi's delivery is the true highlight. The plot on the whole
doesn't make much sense, but you won't care or notice once you're
buckled in for the ride. With all the fun you're having, there's no
time to worry about things like logic.
Throughout the show, there are a number of pre-recorded short films
mixed into the live action in inventive ways. A character speaks to
Shirley onscreen, and Shirley actually enters the video she was
watching. Decorated with wonderfully tacky effects, Jeff Wiens'
videos enlarge the world of the stage, livening the pace and keeping
the absurd high jinks coming. Voiceovers are also used with inspired
perfection, specifically in one scene where a voice from an "Art of
Conversation" tape personally guides Shirley as she flounders. Tack
on a couple of songs replete with hilarious pantomime and a
fantastically awkward dance number and everything's accounted for.
If you think that all sounds terribly screwball and madcap, you are
right. In her later years, Shirley's fiery flipped hair has shrunk
into a curly bob reminiscent of a certain other red-headed comedic
phenom who had a knack for getting herself into zany situations to
the embarrassment of a Mr. Arnaz. Coincidence? Perhaps, but what is
most striking is that Ronconi, for all her similarities to Lucy,
actually stands out in her own right.
Shirley is an anachronistic treat from start to finish. This
Off-Off-Broadway show, deftly directed by Joan Evans, delivers
plenty of laughs amid its unique blend of dark, sweet and endearing
humor. Ronconi is obviously an extremely talented performer who has
a bright future ahead, whether she brings herself out of the past or
not.
SHIRLEY AT THE TROPICANA, Access Theater, 380 Broadway, $25,
www.shirleyatthetropicana.com, Runs through Nov. 18
Jessica Kramer is a staff writer. E-mail her at theater@nyunews.com.
