THE SECRET OF THE RUG Here’s a scoop: Rob “The Bob” Rainville, who for years has been the designated Buddy “The Bud-I” Cianci impersonator, appeared in a rug that was AN ACTUAL BUD-I RUG! Yes, Squires did the hair for the Folly folks this year, and it is also the repository of the former mayor’s hair.
PATRICK KENNEDY Per usual, Con¬gressman Kennedy was absolutely trashed by the Follies’ writers and performers. At one point, after a fairly below-the-belt comment by co-emcee Scotty MacKay, Patrick shouted something back from his table (reportedly, “Hey, you stole that joke”). MacKay responded thusly: “Hey, now that he’s clean and sober, he’s getting the jokes.” Patrick took his thrashing with a smile.
LIZ ROBERTS It is entirely possible that Elizabeth Roberts is too smart to be lieutenant governor, governor, US senator, you name it. Ms. Roberts was this year’s “Mystery Guest” and her performance was the funniest, most professional, best-written, and best-performed mystery guest appearance we’ve ever seen. Hubby Tom may be the professional actor in the family, but our money would be on Liz if they’re both up for Golden Globes. She played herself as the stereotypical diva-big shot pol. There was also a beautiful surrealist touch in how her young chief of staff, Paul Tencher, was played by the talented child actor Evan Kinnane (a tip of the sombrero to 2nd Story’s Ed Shea who apparently helped with the prep and staging). This was an immensely brilliant thing for Roberts to do. Going the Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? route subconsciously reminded us of what a truly nice person Liz is. Plus, she’s just so talented. We’re lucky to have such a class act representing us in the State House, because, to be honest with you, she can do almost anything she puts her mind to.
THE O‘DONNELL/MACKAY TAG TEAM The co-MC work of pro comic Frank O’Donnell and that inspired amateur, the very funny and acerbic Mr. MacKay, continues to work well for the Follies. Frank’s topical material tends to be sharp and flawlessly delivered. MacKay did very well, as usual, but forgot the obligatory Phoenix reference.
A FEW OTHER TERRIFIC PERFORMERS Nice work, once again, from a number of the Follies regulars: Bill (Oz) Oziemblewski, Talia Buford, and our favorite ultra-vamp, Babette Augustin.
Equal unemployment
Now that the Don, Governor Carcieri, has decided to give state workers an unexpected, unwelcome, and unpaid furlough to help trim that budget gap, P&J hope that the gov and other non-unionized State House types get the same unrecompensed time off.
All you have to do is invoke the “non-essential employee” requirement of the unpaid leave provision, and the State House will be emptier those days than Georgie Bush’s noggin.
Can anyone imagine the state going to pieces with the on-duty pols refusing to take calls, or their legion of aides promising to get right back to you? Not bloody likely. So let’s make this a big party day for everyone. After all, it is the right thing to do. (Or do we hear “Let them eat cake” coming from Halitosis Hall?)
