Westport Community Theatre (WCT), located in the Westport Town Hall, opens its 2014–2015 season Friday, Sept. 19 with Herb Gardner’s Tony-Award-winning comedy “I’m Not Rappaport.”
Fred Tisch (l) and David Tate star in “I’m Not Rappaport.” at the Westport Community Theatre. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Directed by Emmy-Award-winner, Lester Colodny, “I’m Not Rappaport” by Herb Gardner portrays the lives of two old men and their confrontations with each other and outsiders against the backdrop New York City’s Central Park.
The comedy focuses on the lives of Nat Moyer, a feisty Jew played by Fred Tisch, and Midge Carter, a cantankerous African-American, played by David Tate. The two men spend their days sitting on a park bench, trying to avoid life in a nursing home, while fighting off predatory muggers and solving the problems of the world.
They both mask the realities of aging, sharing tall tales that Nat spins. The play humorously touches on society’s treatment of the aging, the difficulties dealing with adult children who think they know what is best for their parents, and on the real dangers that lurk in urban areas.
‘The play was originally staged by Seattle Repertory Theatre in 1984. Its Broadway debut production opened in November 1985 at the Booth Theatre, where it ran for 891 performances. The production received Tony Awards for Best Play, Best Lighting Design, and Best Actor (for Judd Hirsch’s performance).
The 1996 film version, written and directed by Gardner, starred Walter Matthau, Ossie Davis, Amy Irving, Craig T. Nelson, Martha Plimpton, Peter Friedman, and Ron Rifkin.
“I’m Not Rappaport” runs to Oct. 5. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., and Thursday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m.. For Tickets, call the Box Office (203) 226-1983, or go to http://www.westportcommunitytheatre.com
