There are times that the actors onstage are so much better than their material; in fact the material is so bad you cringe for them. That is the case in the offending ‘The Last Smoker in America’ at the Westside Theatre at 407 W. 43rd Street. The worst part is this material could have really said something, what with Bloomberg taking away bottles and forcing fragile new mothers into submission thanks to a know it all nurse from Staten Island. Or taking away supersize because parents of overweight kids or overweight adults can’t control themselves. Did anyone think that people share supersize to save money in this economic time? No, as our rights are slowly taken away.
In this American freedom takeover Pam (the fabulous, wonderful Farah Alvin), is determined to preserve her rights to happiness and savor her right to smoke. Her ex-smoker husband Ernie (the subtly brilliant John Bolton) dreams of being a rock star but has little to no talent. Her overgrown teenage son Jimmy (new discovery Jake Boyd) is a mess and thinks he’s a black rapper while her anti-tobacco, Jesus obsessed, annoying neighbor Phyllis (Natalie Venetia Belcon) is screwing her husband. Yes, it is that crass and worse. We don’t care about anybody’s rights, except ours to escape this trash.
Peter Melnick’s music is toneless with Farah showing off her wonderful belt, so there is one condolence. Bill Russell’s book and lyrics should be buried and banned and director Andy Sandberg makes this horrid mess at least watchable.
‘The Last Smoker in America’ should have a warning this show can seriously damage your mood. Go downstairs and see ‘Old Jews Telling Jokes’- at least you’ll be entertained.
Posted by Suzanna Bowling
on August 5, 2012. Filed under ENTERTAIMENT,Theatre.
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