1975 was a rough year for New York City. Garbage piled up in the streets. Subway cars were filthy, covered with graffiti, and unreliable. Crime was soaring. The Bronx was burning. Heroin use and drug trafficking were widespread. Municipal services such as police and sanitation were cut drastically. New York City was broke. The Federal response to New York’s cries for help was summarized in the infamous 1975 New York Daily News headline: “Ford to City: Drop Dead.”
New York City became a study in contrasts. While the City was struggling for survival, it experienced a creative and cultural rebirth. Artists utilized urban materials, recorded evolving neighborhoods, and made art in unconventional sites like abandoned piers and pop-up venues. On Broadway, 1975 was considered a banner year with the openings of A Chorus Line, Chicago, and The Rocky Horror Show. Off-Broadway theaters experimented with different works and performances. A new type of satire appeared on television. This was Saturday Night Live.
Not Ready for Prime Time tells the story of the creation of Saturday Night Live. The authors, Erik J. Rodriguez and Charles A. Sothers, document the growth and presentations of this television program. The story allows us to see the development of an iconic show that grew out of the chaos of 1975.
The accomplished cast effectively conveys the themes of Not Ready for Prime Time. Ian Bouillion portrays Lorne Michaels, a TV producer and writer. Michaels developed the concept for Saturday Night Live. Bouillion deftly portrays a man handling the demands of censors and the diverse personalities of the cast. Ryan Crout is new to Broadway. As John Belushi, Crout illustrates the humor and self-destruction of his character. Jared Grimes is Garrett Morris. Grimes shows the difficulties faced by the first Black cast member. As Bill Murray, Nate Janis shows the frustrations of a comedian who wants to be more than the token Black. Kristian Lugo is Dan Aykroyd. Aykroyd received five Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Lugo clearly shows us the comedic talents of Aykroyd. Woodrow Proctor captures the humor, physicality, and arrogance of Chevy Chase.
In the play, Gilda Radner says, “We have to prove them wrong. Female comedians cannot be an oxymoron.” The performances by the three female actors vividly depict the challenges women encountered. Caitlin Houlahan, portraying Jane Curtin, effectively conveys the frustration experienced by a woman comedian and writer. Taylor Richardson appears as Laraine Newman. Newman has stated that Saturday Night Live allowed her to embrace and use her unique quirks effectively. Richardson displays that weirdness. Gilda Radner is portrayed by Evan Rubin. Rubin effectively shows us the humor and tragedy of Radner’s life.
Not Ready for Prime Time moves fluidly between on-air sketches, heated writers’ room arguments, and the cast’s lives beyond Saturday Night Live. The band echoes the chaos of the show. From the start, the audience is pulled into the action. Two people appear to warm up the audience. The audience becomes part of an on-air TV show. Whenever a sketch ends, the applause lights appear. At times, the characters will speak directly to the audience. During the final act, the band and cast collectively smash the fourth wall by delivering a performance of I am a Soul Man, with the actors dancing among the audience.
Erik J. Rodriguez and Charles A. Sothers take the audience back to 1975. They lead you step by step through every part of how Saturday Night Live began. The audience enters the world of Saturday Night Live. Not Ready for Prime Time provides a distinctive experience in which the audience simultaneously participates as part of a television show and observes a theatrical performance. This is a totally enjoyable experience.