My Life on a Diet
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Cititour.com Review
One could be forgiven for thinking that Renee Taylor’s solo show, “My Life on A Diet,” now in an extended run at the Theatre at St. Clements, may be little more than a humorous evening of empty calories. After all, anyone who has seen Taylor in her early movies or, most notably, as the overbearing Sylvia Fine on TV’s “The Nanny,” can attest to her masterful comic timing. But titles, like looks, can be deceiving.
The 90-minute show, adapted by Taylor and her late husband Joseph Bologna from the actress’ 1986 memoir, is more than just a frothy milkshake made up of equal parts childhood recollections, interactions with celebrities, and her lifelong obsession with losing weight; it’s actually a wonderfully inspirational tale of the quest for self-acceptance and the power of true love. And, oh yes, it is often side-splittingly hilarious.
Glamorously costumed in a glittery gown, the 85-year-old star sits at a soigne desk and admittedly reads her script (mostly memorized) with her tale being smartly illustrated by dozens of photographs, film clips and projections. Some of these display the countless zany diets she tried since childhood, a “victim” of her celebrity-obsessed mother’s desire to have a thin daughter. They range from famous ones (like the Scarsdale Diet) to “celebrity-inspired” ones (like the Lou Costello diet, which was to eat 18 meatballs a day). As often as not, Taylor accompanies each slide with the perfect bon mot or punch line. (Some are so funny, though, Taylor wisely lets them speak for themselves.)
Of course, if you come simply for the star-studded anecdotes, you’ll leave overstuffed. Although Taylor didn’t really gain mainstream success until the 1970s, she seemed to have known everyone, briefly or in depth, from Joan Crawford to Orson Welles, Barbra Streisand and Jerry Lewis. (She never really lets an unkind word about any of these folks leave her lips). While she wasn’t at the nuptials of Grace Kelly, another pal, she did send her a very unusual, but seemingly appreciated wedding gift. And her brief repartee with the young Marlon Brando is priceless.
Most touching are her recollections of her friendship with Marilyn Monroe, with whom she studied at the Actors’ Studio, and the revelation (to me) that she had a brief but intense love affair with the comedian Lenny Bruce. (For some reason, though, in her telling, Bruce dies long before Monroe –which is far from true). It’s partially her relationship with the drug-addicted Bruce that leads her into a therapy and the determination to find the true “Mr. Right,” which turned out to be fellow writer/actor Bologna. (They were together for nearly 53 years until his death last year). Her description of wanting to leave their honeymoon suite in the middle of the night -- because she was afraid Bologna would eventually leave her when she began to gain weight (which she knew she would) -- had me in equal part hysterics and tears.
A shrewd performer, Taylor doesn’t let the story end there (though it could), showing a wonderful montage of clips from “The Nanny,” each of which illustrates Sylvia’s constant appetite. As Taylor subtly acknowledges, she finally became the star her mother always wanted by doing what her mother always warned against. Equally true, while her life –and dress sizes – had many ups and downs, there’s little doubt Taylor is grateful for her mostly wonderful life.
By Brian Scott Lipton
Visit the Site
https://mylifeonadietplay.com/
Open/Close Dates
Opening 7/25/2018
Closing 9/2/2018
Box Office
(212) 239-6200
Theatre Info
Theatre at St Clement's
423 West 46th Street
Neighborhood: West 40s
New York, NY 10036
Map
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