New Age Vaudeville
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The TV Dinner Hour
Dr. Funny Bones
Just Visiting
Television
video
New Age Vaudeville | |
|---|---|
 New Age Vaudeville with Bobby McGuire, Todd Erickson, Peter Neville, Megan Cavanagh, Amy Mckenzie, and Richard O'Donnell | |
| Notable work | An Evening with Elmore & Gwendolyn Putts - The Neighbors Next Door The TV Dinner Hour Dr. Funny Bones Just Visiting |
| Comedy career | |
| Years active | 1983–1987 |
| Medium | Theatre Television video |
| Genres | Sketch comedy Musical Theatre Improvisation |
New Age Vaudeville was an American professional theater troupe founded by Richard O'Donnell and Amy McKenzie, and was part of the Chicago comedy boom of the 1980s.
Peninsula Players' Comedy Cabaret
In New York City, March 1983, Peninsula Players’ producer, James B. McKenzie contracted Amy McKenzie and Richard O'Donnell to create, develop and perform in an after-show revue at the Peninsula Players in Fish Creek, Wisconsin.[1]
Billed as the Comedy Cabaret, it featured sketch comedy, improvisation, song, and dance performed by members of the Peninsula Players to a late night audience.[2]
New Age Vaudeville
The Comedy Cabaret returned to Door County the following summer billed as New Age Vaudeville, in its own 75-seat theatre at the summer resort Glidden Lodge in Baileys Harbor, WI.[3]
Chicago and CrossCurrents cabaret
In the fall of 1986, Richard O’Donnell and Amy McKenzie relocated their theater company to Chicago.[2] New Age Vaudeville established a residency at CrossCurrents cabaret, 3206 N. Wilton.[2] They were contracted by owner Thomas Goodman, who stated, "Not only does New Age Vaudeville christen our new performance space...they are the first resident group in our history."[2][4]
Throughout their 4-year run, O'Donnell co-produced and wrote while McKenzie co-produced and directed numerous productions starring themselves and actors Megan Cavanagh, Todd Erickson, Bobby McGuire, Peter Neville, Michael Dempsey, Caroline Schless, Lisa Keefe, Tom Purcell, and Del Close.[4]
Cult-hits
Sited by The Chicago Tribune as "...a rarity, an ensemble`s ensemble,[4] they gained a reputation for their wizardry in blending 50’s sitcom norms with comic impersonations.[5] An Evening with Elmore & Gwendolyn Putts - The Neighbors Next Door and The TV Dinner Hour (featuring Del Close on video improvising as The Rev. Thing of the first Generic Church of what's-his-name)[4][6] were among their biggest cult-hits.[7] Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune hailed both works as "Among the most polished and clever productions of the season, a pair of devilishly inventive and challenging shows that won over critics and audiences.[4]
Notable works
An Evening with Elmore & Gwendolyn Putts - The Neighbors Next Door (book, music, lyrics: Richard O'Donnell)
The TV Dinner Hour (book, music, lyrics: Richard O'Donnell with additional material by Del Close as Rev. Thing)
Dr. FunnyBones’ Carnival of Life (book, music, lyrics: Richard O'Donnell)
Just Visiting (book, music, lyrics: Megan Cavanagh, Richard O'Donnell, Amy McKenzie, Todd Erickson, Bobby McGuire, Peter Neville, and Tom Purcell)
