While the name Jess Oppenheimer might not immediately trigger recognition, when you combine his name with I Love Lucy it clicks right in place. Oppenheimer was the creator/head writer on the legendary television show. Now his son, Gregg, has put together a play that depicts the struggles Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz had getting the show on the air. LA Theatre Works will be presenting five performances in their well-established radio theatre series of live performances. The show is called I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom and performances begin on Thursday at the James Bridges Theatre at UCLA.
Playing Lucy and Desi in these performances are Sarah Drew and Oscar Nuñez. Ron Bottita plays William S. Frawley, Abigail Marks is Vivian Vance and Seamus Deaver plays Jess Oppenheimer. Gregg Oppenheimer has overseen the continued legacy of the series and has culled all the information he received from his father and other to create this play.
So if you’re not tired, rundown, listless, unpopular and you don’t poop out at parties, then this should be a great show for you.