SPOTLIGHT – TCT

Published 4:17 pm Thursday, February 2, 2017

LURAE STOKES, Special Correspondent

In Tyler Civic Theatre’s “45 Seconds from Broadway,” audiences go behind the scenes of theater to see both rising stars and washed-up actors mix and mingle through life’s craziness.

Neil Simon’s comedy is set in New York City’s Polish Tea Room on 47th Street and is filled with nutty, knowledgeable and nitwitted characters who keep the humor flowing.

Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at TCT, 400 Rose Park Drive.

Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online at tylercivictheatre.com.

Director Amanda Ratliff spent extra time working with the actors to develop each character. She had each analyze their character and think a lot about action verbs appropriate to the character.

“I wanted the audience to be able to empathize with the characters,” Ratliff said.

She hopes the result will be an audience which will “see these actors like you have never seen them before. You will see them just as their characters.

“I am incredibly proud of my cast and the hard work they have each individually put into this show,” she said.

Ron Ellis plays Mickey, a comedian. He describes his character as the witty one with “some really good quick lines.”

Mickey, said Ellis, “loves everyone.”

As Rayleen, DeAnna Hargrove brings a colorful sense of humor.

“She’s the wild card in the story,” Hargrove said.

The audience will be trying to figure out whether “she lives in make-believe on purpose,” Hargrove said.

Tana Switsky plays Zelda, who she describes as feisty and blunt.

“You always know where you stand with Zelda,” Switsky said.

David Stein plays Zelda’s husband, Bernie. Stein said it is fun playing somebody so culturally different than himself.

Ratliff said, “45 Seconds from Broadway” is an opportunity to “be immersed in another world outside of normal day-to- day life.”

The play continues at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 to 11 and 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 12. The Feb. 11 performance will be the Saint Valentine’s Sweet Treat Dessert Theater. Dessert will be served at the performance.