George Burns' career in American comedy spanned over nine decades, from vaudeville acts in the early 20th century to The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show on television and later films The Sunshine Boys and Oh, God! Alan Safier portrays the comedy legend in "Say Goodnight Gracie," the Broadway show that brings Burns back to life through reflection, video clips and photos. Todd Hatton speaks with Safier ahead of his performance at the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts in Madisonville this Friday.
Alan Safier says he's always felt close to the vaudevillian period of the early 20th Century and that George Burns is someone he grew up with. Burns loved the audience, he loved performing and felt this was the only thing he was good at and wanted to do, says Safier. He constantly broke the fourth wall and often talked down his talent and contribution to the success of his act, which was absurd because he wrote the material.
In the performance "Say Goodnight Gracie," Safier says the audience will move through Burns' life with moments both funny and sad, there are many video clips and photos. Actress Didi Conn (of Grease) does the voice-over narration of Burns' wife and comedic partner, Gracie Allen.