From the drawing board to the stage
I always dreamed of producing a musical comedy
How does a cartoonist become a theatrical producer?
The lyrics to this showstopping scene in Mel Brooks’ musical version of “The Producers” resonated with me the instant I saw the show in New York City at the St. James Theater twenty-years ago. Just like Leo Bloom, I wanted to be producer.
“I have a secret desire
Hiding deep in my soul
It sets my heart afire
To see me in this role
I wanna be a producer
With a hit show on Broadway
I wanna be a producer
Lunch at Sardi's every day”
I had always wanted to write and produce a comedy show ever since the first time I saw the “Dick Van Dyke Show” on the Magnavox. What? Dick Van Dyke does what for a living? He’s a comedy writer? And he works in an office with other comedy writers like Rosemarie and Morey Amsterdam writing jokes all day? What could be more awesome? Besides being an internationally syndicated cartoonist?
The Tucson Press Club Gridiron Show
My first theatrical experience came when I was recruited by the Tucson Press Club to perform the standup comedy “cartoon talks” I had been giving to civic groups. I was thrilled to be in the Press Club’s notorious “Gridiron Show”, an annual roast featuring satirical songs, comedy sketches lampooning both local and nationally known celebrities and political figures. It was exhilarating hanging backstage and learning from the amateur pros.
I even tried my hand at singing a duet with Tom Turner. I cannot sing on key. As I croaked and squawked the lyrics I looked to my right and saw the entire cast, backstage, holding out a bucket “to carry my tune in”.
From there on in I stuck to comedy.
It was there I fell in love with theater, on that stage, before a full house at the Tucson Community Center. It was there I learned how a theatrical show was produced by watching Producer Jess Riggle and Director Marge Hilts bring the Tucson Press Club’s “Gridiron Show” to the stage every year.
I was proud to be featured in the show’s libretto program, “Hellbox”, and to serve as the President of the Tucson Press Club from 1988 until its demise in 1991.
After that I began performing in comedy clubs and at corporate conferences. Cartooning was my vocation. Writing and performing comedy had become my avocation.
When my friend, Bobby Rich, asked me to write an annual holiday show, with a Scrooge theme, to help raise funds for the Southern Arizona Diaper Bank, I jumped at the chance. And “A Christmas Carol with a Tucson Twist” was born.
Every year I’d write a fresh 2-hour holiday show with new sketches, jokes and parody songs, often suited to the local celebrity guests and wonderful musicians we wrangled into performing alongside us. Often, I cast myself as Scrooge because, well, could there be anyone more fun to portray than a “humbug!” snarling curmudgeon who always ends up joyfully discovering the true meaning of Christmas? Are there no workhouses? Tell me boy, what day is it?
Year after year we performed variations of our musical comedy show at venues ranging from the Gaslight Theater to Reid Park to Centennial Hall. We eventually landed at the gorgeous Fox Theater where we performed it to sellout crowds for a number of amazing years. It was thrilling to work with my good friend, the unflappable Bobby Rich, assembling an army of performers, musicians and tech wizards every year. Thanks to Bobby placing his trust in me, I realized my dream.
“I wanna be a producer
Wear a tux on opening night
I wanna be a producer
And see my name, Leo Bloom, in lights”
When that run ended, after nearly a decade, I wanted to continue producing a holiday show of my own. But what from would it take?
For years I had been a fan of Garrison Keillor’s “Prairie Home Companion”, a sentimental variety radio show complete with sound effects, sketches, a house band and wonderful monologues. Before Keillor brought his show to the Tucson Community Center arena one year I was asked to meet with one of his writers to help fill Keillor in on what makes our town unique. I told them about our chimichangas, saguaros and swamp box coolers. After the show I was thrilled to meet the master storyteller in person.
I wanted my show to have a strong Old Pueblo sensibility. I exploited the popularity of my “Arroyo Cafe” comic strip, which appeared in the Arizona Daily Star from time to time using the strip’s Tucson diner setting and it’s characters, Rosa, the waitress, and Carlos, the cook, as central figures in the show. I decided it would be an annual charity fundraiser at the height of my favorite time of year, the holiday season. We’ve had a great run and we’ve raised tens of thousands of dollars over the years. Help us raise funds for Doctors Without Borders this year. General seating tickets are only $22.50! Cheaper than a congressman! Get yours today online at bit.ly/48ViSrt
The writer meetings held at our home became an integral part of the Christmas season. The laughter, the songs, the music, the friendships.
And I love Tucson at Christmas time. The silly video below was made years ago so the date and time are for a past show.
This is the ninth year I have produced the show with the help of so many wonderful Tucsonans willing to volunteer their time and talents year after year.
We have grown big enough to have a head writer, Elliot Glicksman, a stage manager, Mary Steed, a music director, Mike Serres, a house band, “The Cadillacs” and a technical director, John Booth. Not to mention our favorite singing group , “The Grandsons of the Pioneers”, who never fail to bring audiences to their feet with their showstopper numbers.
And then there’s our ensemble, “The Arroyo Cafe Players”, featuring Nick Seivert, Mike Sterner, Nancy Stanley and Bridgitte Thum, all wonderful performers who, show after show, bring our classic characters like “Rosa”, “Lurlene, “Wilbur the Wildcat” and “The Snowbirds” to life.
I'm gonna be a producer
He's gonna be a producer!
Look out Broadway
'Cause here I come!
Now that we are ready to take my production to the stage I’ve got to get the word out and fill the seats and I’m hoping you’ll help me by telling all your friends about the show.
Ask them to join you in supporting Doctors Without Borders by joining us on Saturday, December 9th, at 12-noon, at the magnificent historic Rialto Theater when we will perform "The 9th Annual Old Pueblo Holiday Radio Show”, featuring the Arroyo Cafe Players, with guests Bobby Rich, the vocal stylings of Mindy Ronstadt, Tucson’s #1 comedian Priscilla Fernandez, MixFM’s Marty Bishop, Elliot Glicksman, Lucinda Holliday, and Dave Membrila, with our rocking house band the amazing “Cadillacs”, our fabulous “Grandsons of the Pioneers” and our astonishing pianist, on loan from the Gaslight, Sly Slipetsky.
Warning: There will be sharp satire along with sentimental songs soaked in laughter with an Old Pueblo twist. Doors open at 11:30am. Come see and hear why this old time radio variety show is Tucson's favorite holiday season celebration.
Heck, you may even meet the producer in the lobby after the show.
Once again, general seating tickets are only $22.50! Cheaper than a congressman! Get yours today online at bit.ly/48ViSrt
OMG! I'm on the floor ... not where an ol' gal like me should be ... LOL and cheering! Hootin' and hollerin' over 'Powder Milk Biscuits.' This whole schtick is right up my alley! Cheers, Dave! (I'd say, "Break A Leg!" but ya can't be too careful anymore.)
I was active in Tucson Press Club and gridiron in the 1970s and I never knew what came of it and that a book was written. Tom Turner was active and Jack Shaffer (sp?), a big photographer, would do a ballet in a pink tutu.