‘My Favorite Year’ @ Allen Contemporary Theatre
Production photos by Jess Harley
—Rickey Wax
Step back into1954 New York City with My Favorite Year, a charming and nostalgic musical that pays tribute to the golden age of live television and the chaotic world behind the cameras. Co-directed by Laura Jennings and Eddy Herring, Allen Contemporary Theatre’s production dazzles with heart, humor, and a stellar ensemble cast. Based on the 1982 motion picture of the same name, the show (music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, book by Joseph Dougherty) centers on Benjy Stone, an eager young writer for The King Kaiser Comedy Cavalcade, who is tasked with managing the unpredictable Alan Swann, a washed-up movie star who’s set to appear live on the show.
The show kicks off in the bustling King Kaiser Comedy Cavalcade studio. The ensemble’s lively opening number, Twenty Million People, sets the stage for the fast-paced world of live television. We meet Benjy Stone (Troy Murray), a plucky and ambitious comedy writer who dreams of making his mark in Television. Murray’s rendition of Larger Than Life captures Benjy’s wide-eyed admiration for Alan Swann. Next, Swann himself (Alex Bigus) arrives in dramatic, drunken fashion. His over-the-top charm and comedic antics establish him as a larger-than-life but flawed character. Swann’s first interaction with the crew is hilarious—and a now reluctant Benjy is assigned as his handler.
During a rehearsal, the cast and crew grapple with Swann’s unpredictability. Blake Rice as King Kaiser delivers laugh-out-loud moments as he tries to keep the show on track, while Evelynn Wright’s K.C. Downing (a studio staffer) reveals her more grounded and capable side—and sparks a quiet connection with Benjy that she stubbornly fights. Laura Carter Alley shines as Alice, Benjy’s sharp and sassy co-writer. Her comedic delivery and strong stage presence bring warmth and levity to every scene, especially during the number Professional Showbizness Comedy.
Back at Swann’s hotel, chaos ensues when Benjy’s mother Belle May Steinberg Carroca (Catherine Hess) arrives, adding another layer of comedy with her fiery personality. The act closes with Swann reflecting on his faded stardom in the poignant If the World Were Like the Movies, performed beautifully by Bigus.
Just when we thought we could relax, tensions rise in the second act as Swann’s insecurities threaten to derail his appearance. Benjy grows frustrated with him, but their relationship deepens as Swann reveals his struggles with fatherhood and fear of failure. Swann begins to cope with his sorrows the only way he knows how—alcohol. A now hopeless Benjy looks on, as he tries to figure out how to save his job, and his childhood idol.
Music Direction by Jared Duncan ensures a polished and vibrant sound throughout. The live band captures Stephen Flaherty’s jazzy, nostalgic score beautifully–it truly feels like 1954. The ensemble deserves praise for their tight harmonies and versatility. From playing boisterous studio workers to participating in the hilarious commercials—like the catchy Max House coffee jingle—they imbue the production with energy and charm.
Choreography by Becca Tischer adds a lively rhythm to the production. Her slapstick-inspired routines on the television show set—plus some romantic duets—keep the show moving at a good pace. The set design by Eddy Herring is a visual treat, masterfully blending the TV studio with NYC apartments and hotel rooms. And Kenneth Hall’s lighting design subtly enhances the moods, from the warm glow of familial scenes to the bright chaos of live TV.
For two hours (with a 15-minute intermission), the audience is transported to a bygone era, leaving the theater with smiles, laughs, and perhaps a tear or two. Make sure to catch this show before the holiday season ends.
WHEN: November 29-December 15, 2024
WHERE: 1210 E Main St #300, Allen TX
WEB: allencontemporarytheatre.net
