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