Anchor renews passion for theater in ‘Women in My Life’
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. » The show “Women in My Life” sounds as if it could be the plot of a zany farce. Or, for the central character, it might just be a new ring in Dante’s version of hell.
The musical revue, which is being offered as dinnertheater at 5 p.m. Saturday and noon on Sunday at the Hilton Garden Inn in Clifton Park, revolves about a lounge singer, Jerry, who in his act uses a backup trio of three female singers. They are his ex-wife, ex-girlfriend and new girlfriend. One can only suppose they each have stories to tell.
Playing the “lounge-lizard” Jerry is Jerry Gretzinger, who is best known as a local television personality. He is currently a news anchor for Newscenter 13 and for many years served the same function at Channel 6. However, in a recent interview, Gretzinger said performing in theater has always been one of his passions.
“My parents met doing theater. Some of my earliest memories involve being in shows. I’ve loved and participated in theater my entire life.” As if to validate that statement, he has been performing as one-third of the popular cabaret group Singing Anchors, along with Benita Zahn and Jessica Layton.
With “Women in My Life” everything seems connected. The Singing Anchors was formed by local impresario Jay Kerr, who operates the Fort Salem Theatre. Gretzinger, who admits to a fascination with Frank Sinatra, often does his own tribute show to Sinatra at Fort Salem and elsewhere. Recently he was approached by Kerr to play the role in his original piece.
“Jay had written this several years ago and I think it’s kind of autobiographical. Maybe he felt it was finally ready, or there was enough distance from real life events that he could finally put it on stage. I don’t know. But I am really happy and excited that he chose me to play this terrific role.” Kerr will be the piano accompanist at the weekend performances.
The show was performed this summer at Fort Salem and this revival is fundraiser for Not So Common Players of Clifton Park.
Gretzinger says the character is kind of tricky to perform. “We don’t want the audience to dislike the guy. He has to be charming, but we don’t want him to seem too slick. He’s not a lech. He loves women and women love him. There are times when a woman makes the first move on him. I see him as a fun-loving guy who just can’t get it right. ”
Continuing, he explains, “Jerry’s problem is not with women. His problem is being unable to make a commitment to a woman. The show has a lot of laughs with that failing.” He offers a couple of song titles like “Wife is a Four-Letter Word” and “Rebound Express” to illustrate how the music is important telling what he calls “a lighthearted story.”
He emphasizes that this is not a solo show. “The women in Jerry’s life are important and the ladies in the show are so talented they will make the relationships a lot of fun. They are Sue Cicarelli Caputo, Heather-Liz Copps and Erin Gretzinger.
If that last name reads familiar, Erin Gretzinger is Jerry’s wife. He chuckles and says, “Yes, she plays the character of my current girlfriend,” and quickly adds “It is so great that she is in the show. At the end of every rehearsal we hug each other and say, “Thank God this isn’t our personal story.”
On the topic of personal stories he says he thinks everyone in the audience has met their own Jerry. “He’s the kind of guy we all enjoy being around. He’s great company and fun. But no one wants his life.”
“Women in My Life,” produced by Not So Common Players as dinner theater at the Hilton Garden Inn, Clifton Park. Doors open 5 p.m. Saturday, noon Sunday. Dinner and show $50. (518) 877-5648.