A Warm and Welcoming Sitcom

The First Lady of Television

From an autobiographical skit that portrayed a Jewish family living in a Bronx tenement, to the first 15-minute episode of a radio program called “The Rise of the Goldbergs,” Gertrude Berg blazed a trail in entertainment. It was 1929 and families who could afford a radio gathered together to listen to the adventures of a typical American family. Eventually in 1951, Ms. Berg convinced CBS to produce the popular radio show as one of TV’s first sitcoms. The television show, now simply titled “The Goldbergs,” turned into a long-running hit. It even won Gertrude Berg the first ever Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Television Series, during its 20th year of programming. 

In the show, which was sponsored by Sanka coffee and General Foods, Gertrude portrayed Molly Goldberg as the matriarch of a contemporary Jewish family, who were first generation immigrants to the United States. The television series appealingly tied American patriotism with fellowship, freedom and family values. The sitcom was warm and welcoming and gave Americans the simple sentimentality of their own home life. 

But in 1950, during what was called the Red Scare, actor Phil Loeb, who portrayed Molly’s husband, Jake Goldberg, found his name published in the anti-Communist pamphlet called Red Channels. Issued by the right-wing, the document listed over 150 actors, writers and musicians working in the television industry. These individuals were said to be dangerous, subversive Communist sympathizers who were trying to dismantle American government through the entertainment industry. As a result of Loeb’s being instrumental in many activities, such as the establishment of the Actors Equity Association, he was blacklisted. Of course, the union wasn’t and isn’t a Communist organization. It represents and supports the rights of theatrical actors and stage managers (of which I’m also a longstanding member). 

Eventually the sponsors of “The Goldbergs” pulled their financial backing and the television program was canceled. Although the TV show was later picked up by NBC, Philip Loeb reluctantly decided to resign from the cast, rather than endanger the careers of his fellow actors. “The Goldbergs” continued its popularity through 1954, but the close-knit company, who felt like an actual family, mourned the loss of their patriarch.

Kicking off Northlight Theatre’s astounding 50th Anniversary Season, Artistic Director BJ Jones beautifully directs this World Premiere. Written by prolific playwright James Sherman (BEAU JEST, THE GOD OF ISAAC, CHAGALL IN SCHOOL), his new play is both historical and movingly topical. It offers some laughs, but ultimately is a drama. It tenderly reveals how Gertrude Berg, who wrote, starred and produced the popular, autobiographical television series, had to confront and cope with the McCarthyism movement, when the tragedy became more personal.

As the play opens, we join a rehearsal of “The Goldbergs,” being set for lighting and camera angles before the evening’s live broadcast. Sherman’s 90-minute one-act is expertly staged by Mr. Evans on Jeffrey D. Kmiec’s finely-detailed Set Design. His scenic design properly resembles the actual, fictional Goldberg home that was depicted on television. Joe Dempsey (Paramount’s WEST SIDE STORY, the Goodman’s TWIST YOUR DICKENS) likably and professionally portrays Walter Hart, the producer and director of “The Goldbergs.” He makes frequent appearances on the TV set, emerging from the audience to join the cast during breaks in the rehearsal. 

Exceptionally versatile and talented actor William Dick, whose work has often been enjoyed at all of the major Chicago theatres, like the Goodman and Chicago Shakespeare, returns to Northlight (THE BOOK OF WILL, THE ODD COUPLE). He expertly and empathetically portrays Phillip Loeb as a caring and seasoned actor who, at the height of his illustrious career, has to deal with the unfounded attacks by a dangerous and Conservative political coalition. Phil, and his shaky future in the entertainment industry, becomes the center of this eloquent play. But listening carefully, theatergoers will find that this play intensely reverberates as part of today’s political climate.

Three-time Jeff Award-winning actor Mark David Kaplan (CLUE, LES MISERABLES, RAGTIME) is, as always, absolutely wonderful playing actor Eli Mintz. Portraying the actor who plays Uncle David in “The Goldbergs,” Mr. Kaplan provides the wisdom, homely humor and cheerful demeanor to his television family. Ty Fanning (LINDIWE at Steppenwolf, OTHELLO, on Broadway) portrays young actor Larry Robinson, who plays Sammy Goldberg like a lively little puppy. Robinson is a newbie to acting, claiming his fame as a male model and a dancer. Sarah Coakley Price (DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE at Northlight and EURYDICE at Writers), in the role of actress Arlene McQuade, plays independent-minded daughter Rosalie Goldberg. The actress has some definite opinions about Phillip Loeb’s listing in Red Channels. She’s a young, ambitious actress who’s set her sights on a career in television that mirrors Gertrude Berg’s. She doesn’t want to fail because of the politics of her cast-mate.

But this play rightfully belongs to one of Chicago’s finest and most beloved character actresses, Cindy Gold (MOTHERS AND SONS, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE at Northlight; the title role in MIZ MARTHA WASHINGTON at Steppenwolf and WIPEOUT at Rivendell). Ms. Gold, whose talent is boundless, is Gertrude Berg playing the character of Molly Goldberg, as well as taking the helm as the writer and producer of her popular television show. She radiates warmth for her television audience, beginning with the show’s iconic opening in the window of her Bronx apartment. That sweetness and honesty continues through Ms. Gold’s solid portrayal of this famous TV character. But as Gertrude, she bristles and tries to buck the system and fix the scandal inflicted upon her friend and costar, Phil Loeb. Illustrating Shakespeare’s famous quote from HENRY IV, part 2, “Uneasy is the head that wears the crown” as the head of the entire enterprise, Gertrude Berg has to face a dilemma.

James Sherman’s latest play is a compelling historical look at the early years of television. It depicts the development of “The Goldbergs,” a TV sitcom about a typical Jewish American family. But in addition to featuring a look at the trailblazing television show, the play focuses on the damage created by blacklisting within the entertainment industry during the McCarthy era. This drama, laced with humor, isn’t just an entertaining historical play. It’s a meaningful indictment of today’s current political climate.

 As the audience listens to the six characters in this warm and welcoming sitcom, they’ll recognize similar sentiments from the mouths of today’s government Conservatives. Eventually Gertrude Berg, a pioneer in radio and television, found more on her plate than simply creating a quality show. As well as heading up the “The Goldbergs,” she had other problems with which to deal. She couldn’t have foreseen them coming at the beginning of the adventure. But as we revisit this dark period in American history, a quotation can’t help but reverberate: “Those who cannot (or will not) remember history are condemned to repeat it.” This is an important message to live by.           

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented September 4-October 12 by Northlight Theatre, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 

(847) 673-6300 or by going www.northlight.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.