Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Times
Wednesday, July 14, 1976, page 24 (of 32)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
entertainment
16 TIMES/GUIDE Wednesday, July 14, 1976 entertainment
'Girls in 509' pales beside earlier Ring efforts
By ERICA MEYER Staff Writer The hotel suite where the ladies live used to be plush and fashionable, but now it is faded, with darkened walls covered by pictures of Republican presidents. The girls, Aunt Hettie and her niece, Mimsy, came to the hotel to hide when Roosevelt became president and they haven't come out in 26 years. The Girls in 509, a cute, if lightweight, comedy is playing July 14 to 17 at 8 p.m. in the theater on the University of Miami campus. Room 509 has been equipped as a haven by the reclusive, devotedly Republican ladies — who haven't read a newspaper since the early 1940's. Aunt Hettie, portrayed by Harriet Grinnell (in the strongest acting job of the evening) and Mimsy, played with alternate awkwardness and charm by Kari Kaplan, allow no visitors and set an elaborate, funny trap for intruders. Only the hotel's bellhop, Old Jim (Ray Faiola) is allowed to enter — and he must leave their breakfast cart in the dark room and retreat. Jim reads the ladies their infrequent pieces of mail through the hotel room door, and the Ring's play begins the day Jim reads the eviction notice: the hotel is about to become a Democratic Women's Club. The ladies are appalled and their horror increases when they learn their plight has become the subject of a newspaper story. Soon the halls of the hotel are invaded by a small army of reporters, politicians, a swaggering social worker (a heavy handed, though initially funny, portrayal by Nancy Jones and a lawyer who tells the women, who used to be rich, that they would have been rich again except all their money for legal fees. The other visitor, and the most likeable, is Professor Pusey, a midwestern religious college journalism teacher who must write one feature story or lose his job. Michael Williams, admittedly, faces a difficult task. It is not easy to give a firm and convincing portrayal of a weakling. He tries to imbue Professor Pusey with personality, but the character only clicks about halfway through the second act. The politicians involved are the chairmen of the Republic and Democratic parties. Michael T. Weinand plays both. The Republican can't convince Aunt Hettie that the party still lives up to her 1932 platform and the Democrat can't prove that his party is any different. Weinand gives the Republican chairman a Henry Kissinger accent and gives the Democrat and uncouth pomposity. The Ring has presented a strong summer of American comedy in repertory and is entitled to one less-than-ideal show — especially since it is now preparing George M! as a season closer. But The Girls in 509 could have so easily been charming, instead of flighty; topical instead of simply cute. With a little updating, a little rehearsing, a little softening of stereotypes, "Girls" could have measured up to I Remember Mama and Damn Yankees which were presented earlier in the summer. It's a nice enough evening, but I'm saving my vote for George M! Michael Williams, Kari Kaplan . . . get acquainted in political satire
CHEZ VENDOME / David William Hotel
CHEZ VENDOME One of the world's great restaurants "A MUST." Now in our 12th Year. David William Hotel 700 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables For Reservations 443-4646
SORRENTO
AFTER YOU HAVE DINED ON OUR AUTHENTIC ITALIAN CUISINE YOU'LL WANT TO COME BACK TO SORRENTO A TRULY FINE ITALIAN RESTAURANT NOW OPEN 7 DAYS YOUR HOST FOR OVER 29 YEARS VINCENT AMANZIO 3059 S.W. 8th ST., MIAMI, FLORIDA 643-3111
Dancing offered
Fusion dance company, based at 4237 Malaga Ave., in Coral Gables, has announced a schedule of dance classes from July 19 to Aug. 21. Classes will be offered for children and adults, Monday through Saturday. Thirty class sessions are $92. Classes will be held at 244 Valencia Ave., Coral Gables.
BEGONIA FLORIST
SYMPATHY FLOWERS CHARGE BY PHONE 7 DAYS A WEEK BEGONIA FLORIST 6803 BIRD RD. 667-2394
SATEH HOUSE
WHERE THE "IN" FOOD IS INDONESIAN OPEN MONDAY THRU SUNDAY 11:30 A.M.-11 P.M. LUNCHEON FEATURES: INDONESIAN CHEF SALAD $1.45 | INDONESIAN STYLE BAR-B-QUE CHICKEN $2.95 | INDONESIAN STYLE BARBECUED RIBS $3.95 DINNERS FROM $4.95 TAKE-OUT SERVICE CATERING 9050 SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY.................. 665-2243
K.C. CAGNEY AND COMPANY
GOURMET BURGERS SELECT YOUR OWN TOPPING 5813 PONCE DE LEON BLVD. CALL 661-7091 FOR TAKE-OUT SERVICE NOW SERVING BEER & WINE