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The top second banana

Posted on February 13, 2023 by Sonoma Valley Sun

There’s the television sidekick, and there’s Ethel Mertz. As the neighbor/BF of the titular character on the monster 50s sitcom I Love Lucy, actress Vivian Vance was an impeccable comedic foil for Lucille Ball. An unknown with minimal theater and film experience, the 41-year-old Vance was cast as what became the definition of sitcom second banana; in fact, she won the first ever Emmy for supporting actress.

The theater piece Sidekicked, a Sonoma Arts Live production running Feb. 3-13 at Andrews Hall, shows it wasn’t as easy as it looked. 

“Vance had a love/hate relationship with Lucille Ball that grew into a deep respect and dear friendship,” says Libby Oberlin, who stars in the one-woman play. “I’ve developed such a fondness and love for her throughout my research and as I’ve walked around in her shoes during rehearsal (or her slippers as is the case in our show).”

Oberlin was last seen here as opera star Maria Callas in SAL’s Master Class. That diva played second to nobody. 

As Vance, Oberlin plays an actress establishing an identity within an ensemble cast. Sidekicked, written by Kim Powers, is set on the last night of the taping of the I Love Lucy show. It opens on Vivian in her dressing room. She is talking to her analyst about what comes next for her, and some of the bad choices (four husbands included) she’s made.

“It’s a really great play, Viv had quite a life,” Oblerlin says. “It’s funny, has lots of nostalgia and fun tidbits about I Love Lucy, and it shows really compelling details about the life of Vivian Vance, who folks probably don’t know much about.”

The audience will discover there’s much more to Vivian Vance than gal pal to America’s favorite comedian, says Artistic Director Jaime Weiser Love. “She is actually a very complex, wounded actress struggling to emerge from Lucy’s shadow, but grateful for it all the same.” 

At one point, Vance pleads, “Please help me understand who I really am before I’m stuck being Ethel forever.”

Love says, “We chose this show knowing that many patrons in our audience remember the I Love Lucy show well and will enjoy a visit back, leaving with a deeper insight into that iconic show and equally memorable actress.”

Sidekicked. Directed by Michael Ross (Drowsy Chaperone, My Fair Lady). T. The show runs for 11 performances, Feb. 3-19, Thursday-Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 2pm, on the Rotary Stage in Andrews Hall, Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma. Tickets at sonomaartslive.org

 

Photos by Miller Oberlin




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