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Arts & Entertainment

Nothing Sacred in Cinnabar's "Tomfoolery"

Musical tribute to '50s singer/songwriter Tom Lehrer covers dozens of songs that poke fun of religion, nuclear war and romance.

Let me start by saying that “Tomfoolery” at is not for everybody.

The production, based on satirical songwriter Tom Lehrer’s good-humored cynical songbook, insults Catholics, retired military personnel, mothers, wives, protesters -- and that’s just before the intermission.

And it includes ditties like “Poisoning Pigeons In The Park,” which certainly might offend bird lovers.

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Ticket holders are likely to include anyone who has ever had an off-color or politically incorrect thought, people who enjoy laughing out loud and those who believe getting up off the couch to see a good show is a fine idea.

In other words, to say “Tomfoolery” is a fun show is like saying pie is good.

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Anyone familiar with Tom Lehrer’s 1960’s party albums will be singing along. Lehrer “virgins” will likely be doubled over laughing at the challenge of 1) believing what they just heard, and 2) keeping up with the staccato pace of Lehrer’s biting lyrics.

A musical combo supports the hard-working cast, which includes Cinnabar's Executive Director Elly Lichenstein, Krista Wigle, Michael Fontaine and Eric Morris.

Special shout out to Music Director Stuart Rabinowitsh who accompanies the cast on piano and wails on the accordian.  Although his back was turned to the audience for most of the performance he appeared to have the best time at the party.

All the singing is enthusiastic employing more than a few hip-swings and wiggling eyebrows for emphasis.

It’s camp. 

It’s witty.

It’s sure to fill your brain with a few new ditties – such as Fontaine’s galloping Gilbert and Sullivan-esque musical rendition of the table of elements. (A favorite of actor Daniel Radcliffe's!)

A Harvard educated mathematician, Lehrer was an accidental entertainer guilty of pressing a few underground concert albums for schoolmates in the 1950’s upon which his fame as a musical satirist grew.

In the quaint days before in-home 3-D television and iPads, people living in what were then referred to as “neighborhoods,” would invite other “neighbors” to sit on the living room floor, drink cheap wine or beer, smoke cigarettes and stare off into space while listening to albums playing on a turn-table. Sometimes they’d play the same album over and over - just for laughs.

While the adults got happier and happier, children, lurking in hallway shadows, tried to decode the lyrics and their meanings.

It wasn’t always easy.

Little Billy might know that the tango was a Latin lovers dance, but would be left to wonder what Lehrer’s Masochism Tango was all about. And why did Aunt Betty always shriek at that one line - about cleats?

In other words, ticketholder, be prepared. Nothing is sacred in this musical review that takes on the Vatican with equal fervor as nuclear war, racism, romance and marriage, but not necessarily in that order.

The short run at Cinnabar Theater concludes Jan. 22. Tickets are $35 general admission; $32 seniors 65 and over; $25 for 22 years and under. For more info, check out Cinnabar's website

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