REVIEW: I Love Lucy Live on Stage

I Love Lucy Live on Stage transports the audience to 1950s Hollywood for a live taping of I Love Lucy.  The show features two recreated I Love Lucy episodes including “The Benefit” and “Lucy Has Her Eyes Examined.”  The format is cute and reminded me a lot of The Saved By The Bell Show.  It took a little while to get past the fact that the actors, although talented, were not identical to the iconic characters of the tv show.  Thea Brooks did an excellent job as Lucy and pulled off some wonderful physical comedy.  Euriamis Losada shined as Ricky during the musical numbers and left me wanting to listen to more Cuban music.

If you’re familiar with the tv series, there aren’t many surprises for you other than a few jokes by the Desilu Playhouse host and a few song-and-dance “commercials.”  The commercials did little to add to my entertainment, likely due to the fact that I wasn’t alive in this era and there is no associated nostalgia.

I Love Lucy Live on Stage is at the State Theatre in Minneapolis through January 25, 2015.  Tickets start at $39.

DEAL ALERT: Rush tickets will be available for Students, Educators, Military, and Actor’s Equity Association members for all performances of I Love Lucy. 2 tickets per valid ID; $25 per ticket, cash only; available only at the State Theatre Box Office beginning 2 hours prior to the performance; ID holder must be present with valid ID at time of purchase; AEA members must present valid photo ID and AEA card; resale or transfer of rush tickets is strictly prohibited and all tickets are subject to availability.

Photo by Ed Krieger