My Pal Izzy - The Early Life and Music of Irving Berlin featuring Melanie Gall

Imaginative and educational, Melanie Gall’s My Pal Izzy – The Early Life And Music Of Irving Berlin combines a healthy dose of fact and fiction as we are given a panoramic view of the life of brilliant composer Irving Berlin during his early formative years through his ill-fated albeit loving marriage to Dorothy Goetz. Our narrator, Rebecca, shares small stories behind several of his songs (many of which, in this fictionalized narrative, are based on their friendship) while the character also weaves in a considerable amount of history about the famed Berlin, who was born Israel Baline, and his childhood dreams that he hustled and worked so hard for to make a reality. As she describes the songs, she also shares them – with her opera-trained voice and pianist (John Murphy). Gall’s character of Becky is quite interesting, as is her use of this fictional character to weave a story behind the legendary lyricist and his songs, through the idea of friends helping each other succeed creatively in the tough streets of New York City.

Combine with this Gall’s beautiful voice and the history lesson, and you have an evening of possibilities. Two of my favorite songs from the evening were “If You Don’t Want My Peaches” and the heart-wrenching “When I Lost You”.

My problem with the show was the actual acting. When Ms. Gall was giving a historical narrative of Berlin’s life, she had my full attention, and I felt I learned a great deal about his life. When she was singing, her voice and the songs were lovely, so her hamming it up on several songs was acceptable because it seemed fitting with the type of music she was doing.But there were the little moments when the actress was sharing her make-believe world, or when she would create people she was talking to or things she saw that I just didn’t buy, and it was troublesome for me to become as absorbed as I would have liked to have been.

Despite this, My Pal Izzy provides an interesting glimpse of a moment in time we probably take for granted – for example, Berlin had to sing songs at an early age in an opium den just for pennies a week. In doing so, it provides a charming presentation of the songs of one of the greats who paved the way for composers and lyricists today.

~~~

FRIGID New York Festival 2011 will run February 23-March 6 at The Kraine Theater & The Red Room (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery) and UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1sr Ave and Ave A). Tickets ($10-$16) may be purchased online at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444. All shows will run 60 minutes long or less.

Related Posts:

• FRIGID New York Festival 2011 – Five Questions For: My Pal Izzy – The Early Life And Music Of Irving Berlin
• The Extraordinary Fall of the Four-Legged Woman: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• CHALK: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• All is Fine in Sunny Florida: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Sprucehaven B: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Welcome back to another installment of FRIGID New York Festival 2011 Q&A!  We’ll be running these throughout February until the Festival starts, so be sure to check back to read all about the great shows that will be taking part in the festival.  Also – don’t miss the winner-take-all game of Rock Paper Scissors! Today’s Q&A is with Melanie Gall who is the Writer/Performer of My Pal Izzy – The Early Life and Music of Irving Berlin

Narrated by Berlin’s childhood friend Becky, My Pal Izzy is a musical comedy that explores the early life of famed composer Irving Berlin. From a song plugger to a singing waiter, young Irving would do anything to succeed.

answers by Melanie Gall – Writer/Performer

Antonio Asks: What makes FRIGID such a warm and welcoming experience for your production?

Despite the Frigid New York weather, this festival has been extremely welcoming.  From selecting the perfect venue for my show, to finding me a piano I could rent, the organizers have been helpful, friendly and accessible.  It will be wonderful to meet everyone, as performance times draw nearer.

Diánna Asks: What about this play do you feel most drawn to personally, and because of that, what message do you hope the audience walks away with?

I admit it:  I’m a history geek.  I come from a relatively new town, but now that I’m living in New York, I lie in bed at night imagining who might have lived in my apartment 100 years ago.  I feel personally drawn to the human story behind the legend of Irving Berlin.  As musicians and performers, we are all trying to succeed in New York, and things were just the same in Berlin’s time.

I hope the audience walks away with a catchy song that won’t stop running through their head, and an appreciation for the rich history behind this city.

Karen Asks: That’s some title.  How did you come up with it – and what does it mean?

The title of my show is pretty self-explanatory.  I’d love to come up with a snappy response to this question, but the show is about the early life of Berlin, and his early music.  No crazy surprises!

Stephen Asks: You must have a favorite part of your show.  What makes it your favorite?

The music.  Berlin wrote brilliant music, and the lyrics are hilarious.  My favorite is ‘Don’t Take Your Beau to the Seashore‘.   The message was true back then, and it is even truer now!

Lina Asks: How much of your show was inspired by true events?

The focus of this show is a fictional character, but everything about New York, Tin Pan Alley and Irving Berlin’s life is absolutely true.

THM Bonus Question: If you could play a virtual game of Rock, Paper, Scissors with another FRIGID Show which show would you take on?  And what would you throw?

ONEymoon.  Because a honeymoon for one sounds just like what I need right now!  I would throw rock.  And I would win!

Thanks My Pal Izzy – for participating in The Happiest Medium’s FRIGID New York Festival 2011 Q&A.  And for playing our game!  You’re officially ROCK.  So you may win TWICE.  Or, not at all.  This is how it works in the crazy world of the VIRTUAL ROCK PAPER SCISSORS TOURNAMENT!

Now let’s see . . . ONEymoon also threw ROCK. It’s a tie! A tie made from rocks. If you guys want a rematch, meet back here (virtually) and we’ll watch as you battle it out to the (mwah-hah-hah) death.

Meanwhile, for the rest of you – don’t forget to check out My Pal Izzy – The Early Life and Music of Irving Berlin

FRIGID New York Festival 2011 will run February 23-March 6 at The Kraine Theater & The Red Room (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery) and UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1sr Ave and Ave A). Tickets ($10-$16) may be purchased online at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444. All shows will run 60 minutes long or less.

Related Posts:

• My Pal Izzy – The Early Life And Music Of Irving Berlin – Fact, Fiction, and Peaches (FRIGID New York 2011)
• Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women In The Arts – Spotlight On Heidi Grumelot
• Yippie! – Revolution On Demand (FRIGID New York 2011)
• FRIGID Hangovers – I’ll Have Another Round! (FRIGID New York 2011)
• Scarlet Woman, Noirtastic Femmes (FRIGID New York 2011)