JET presents
New Year's Eve
gala events
recalling
a beloved
comedian.
Tim Newell as Jack Benny
Vit
Dine at Moe's for New Year's Eve!!! I
Cal for reservations vial:: f
ome CELEBRATE 30 years with Moell I
I
r
30% OFF TOTAL BILL*
Buy one
Dinnerget
One 50% OFF'
*After 5pm, Dinner Entrees only,
With coupon. Not valid with any other offers.
Now through 1/19/14, Both Locations, Dine-in only.
I
ExOes1///19/14. Dine-in onl
=====
........
A
Leon's of Wixom
Moe's on Ten
29710 Wixom Road • Wixom
39455 West 10 Mile, Novi
248.478.9742
248.926.5880
www.moeson10.com
www.leonsofwixom.com
Suzanne Chessler
mostly close to home.
"Jack Benny was the central fig-
ure with wacky characters, and Jerry
ctor Tim Newell first
Seinfeld was the central figure with
thought of portraying come-
other wacky characters"
dian Jack Benny after a direc-
Newell, who premiered the show
tor casually noted some facial features
during 2001 in Buffalo, has worked
and gestures shared by the two men.
closely with its director, Saul Elkin,
Those comments prompted Newell
co-founder of the Jewish Repertory
to ask writer Jack Humphrey, experi-
Theatre of Western New York, founder
enced with one-person productions,
and artistic director of Shakespeare
to come up with a play about the late
in Delaware Park and former chair
radio and TV personality.
of the University at Buffalo's Theatre
The idea was to recall the best of the
Department.
fictional character known
A spinoff, A Lunch with
for never parting with age
Mr. Benny, has been per-
39 or his money.
formed in clubs.
Mr. Benny, the show
Newell's interest in act-
performed by Newell, gets
ing started in elementary
2014 off to a joke-filled
school and continued
start for those attending
through attendance at
New Year's Eve celebra-
Jamestown Community
tions hosted by the Jewish
College in New York.
Ensemble Theatre.
After trying his luck in
The first show, at 6 p.m.,
New York City, Newell
is followed by a gala dinner.
switched his artistic proj-
The second show, at 9 p.m., Actor Tim Newell
ects to abstract painting
is followed by an afterglow
and worked at the QRS
with dancing and a champagne toast at
Music Roll Factory in Buffalo, where
midnight.
he did administrative work.
"Audiences are going to see a two-act
Gradually, he was able to find his
play," says Newell in a phone conversa-
way back to theater, playing a variety of
tion from his home in Buffalo, N.Y.
roles in plays as diverse as Richard III,
"They are going to be treated to two
The Hobbit and The School for Wives.
moments in time in Jack Benny's life.
"I've read the biographies and auto-
"The first act is set in 1950 at the first biography, which Jack Benny started
airing of his TV program, which comes
writing and which was picked up by
after the radio series started broadcasts
his daughter:' says Newell, looking for-
in the 1930s. Then we jump to 1965,
ward to a 2015 production of the show
when the TV show is canceled.
at the Clockwise Theatre in Waukegan,
Ill., Benny's hometown.
"In each act, the audience is regaled
with stories of days in radio. He talks
"The one thing that stands out the
about his family, experiences in vaude-
most is that despite the jokes about
him being a skinflint, he was very gen-
ville and the way he came to comedy"
With the use of sound effects, the
erous. He had no qualms about writ-
audience is reminded of the other char-
ing checks for charities and was loved
acters who appeared on Benny's long-
by many people. More than 3,000
popular show. There is some mention
attended his funeral in 1974.
of the headliner's Jewish background.
"I've watched Benny's clips on
"Jack Benny paved the way for
YouTube and seen him as a guest on
comedians of today, particularly Jerry
other shows. Through the readings
Seinfeld, and situation comedies:' says
and the clips, I've really come to love
Newell, 48, single and with a career that [the style of an entertainer] I never
places him in all kinds of productions,
knew"
I Contributing Writer
A
Book Your Holiday Party !
* Carry-Out Salad, Pasta and Veggie
Party Trays Available
* All-You-Can-Eat Dine-In Party Packages
* Large Group Accommodations
* Fun and Lively Atmosphere
$2 OffAny Party Tray
EE PIZZA
Offer not valid with any other coupon/discount.
One coupon per person, per table
Expires 12/31/13
.111
Purchase $25 in
Order
Buddy's Gift Cards &
Online !
receive a voucher for a
FREE 4 SQUARE CHEESE PIZZA
$3 Off Arty 8-Square Raz
Offer not valid with any other coupon/discount.
One coupon per person, per table
Expires 12/31/13
JN
with one topping
Join Buddy's Email Club atwww buddys P izza • com !
31646 Northwestern Hwy. Farmington Hills ph: 248.855.4600 fax: 248.855.3849
Detroit • Warren • Livonia • Dearborn • Pointe Plaza • Auburn Hills • Royal Oak • Bloomfield Hills • Shelby Twp.
10 % OFF T I TAL BILL
SUSHI S k MUR
Beer
& Wine
now
available
Japanese Restaurant
• Catering and Carry-out Available
• Gift Certificates Available
4143 Orchard Lake Road
Orchard Lake, MI 48323
Ph: 248-737-4408
Pontiac Trail
Fax: 248-737-5032
•
51.151-11 SOMUI201
Business Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30am - 10:00pm
Sunday 4:30 - 9:00pm
Lone Pine (17 mile
Check out our new look !
iLisi- -Poy
breotk-Potsi- otvlytmore
X101-
Every Thursday Night from 6-8
bring the kids and enjoy
Johnny the Magician!
• Kid's menu • Amazing Sliders
❑
Mr. Benny will be performed at 6 and 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, at the
Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. Various ticket packages
available; call the theatre: $55 for either performance (without dinner
or dance); $45 for dinner (without performance or dance); $15 for dance
(without performance or dinner). (248) 788-2900; www.jettheatre.org .
'th ad only) through 1/15/14
Open
24
FAMILY RESTAURANT
hours
10% Senior Citizens discount
Carryout
Fresh ground coffee
Rd. • Southfield•248-353-32-32
JN
December 12 • 2013
47