GENE & GILDA
By Cary Gitter
Runs through May 3
Tipping Point Theatre, 361 E. Cady St., Northville
Tickets are $25 – $47.
www.tippingpointtheatre.com
Review by Erica Hobbs for Detroit News
Married couple Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner were two iconic comedic actors, but who were the people behind the laughs? Northville’s Tipping Point Theatre is exploring the relationship between the two and who they were as individuals in Cary Gitter’s “Gene & Gilda,” making its Michigan premiere Saturday. Directed by Brian Sage, the play stars Kevin O’Callaghan and Kristin Shields in the title roles.
“I think a lot of the appeal of the play to people has been reliving their memories of enjoying [Gene and Gilda’s] work and bringing them back to life,” he said. “But it’s been interesting, because there have been younger audiences who were much less familiar or not even aware at all of one or both of them who have really enjoyed the play as a way to learn about them and also just connected to the relationship.”
Review by Susan Thwing for Macomb Daily 4/9
The production, written by Ann Arbor playwright Cary Gitter, opened April 8 and runs through May 3, and tells the story of Radner’s relationship with fellow entertainer Gene Wilder. The play follows the couple from their romance and creative partnership to the heartbreak of Radner’s illness and death.
For Gitter, the Michigan production feels especially meaningful because of Radner’s deep Detroit roots.
“She means so much to people in this community,” Gitter said. “It’s exciting that the first production in the Midwest and outside the New York area is here in her hometown.”
Radner, who grew up in Detroit and attended the University of Michigan before joining “Saturday Night Live,” remains one of the city’s most beloved entertainers. Gitter said the play has already sparked connections in the area, including support from Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit in Royal Oak and an opportunity to meet Radner’s brother, Michael Radner, at a Detroit fundraiser last year.
Review by Suzanne Chessler for The Jewish News 4/7
“It’s a story that is funny as it tells about love, loss and resilience, and I hope that it connects with people on those levels. It’s also about seeing creative people in a relationship. It’s a tribute to these two figures, but also, hopefully, the play resonates with people on a personal level, too.” says Cary Gitter, playwright…
Gitter reminds people that an important element in the memory of Gilda was the establishment of Gilda’s Clubs at various locations around the country to provide connection places for people being treated for cancer.
Review by Brian Kitson for BSB Insider 5/5
While I knew this play would be emotional, I was completely unprepared for how deeply it would impact me. From the moment the lights dim, the audience is taken into a moment in Gene Wilder’s life when he is most vulnerable, allowing a reflection on a relationship that would define not just his life but the world. Director Brian Sage brings a distinct vision to the stage, channeling what makes this relationship special into something extraordinary. Cary Gitter’s words roll off the page like poetry, as vibrant as the two people this story is based on. Gene & Gilda serve as a reminder that sometimes the most beautiful of stories can also hurt the most. However, the pain we experience doesn’t truly take away from the joy we experience, but perhaps makes us appreciate the time we have with those we love all the more. Which is truly the beauty of this show.