
Jordan Kai
Burnett
By Cary Gitter
Directed by Joe Brancato
With Jordan Kai Burnett and Jonathan Randell Silver
Comic geniuses Gene Wilder (Willy Wonka, Young Frankenstein) and Gilda Radner (Saturday Night Live) had a love like no other. What started as a friendship on a movie set grew into an electric and enduring romance. In this heartfelt and hilarious new play, Wilder and Radner share their love and their laughter with us, even as they navigate some of life’s hardest challenges.
Penguin Rep Theatre was founded in 1977 by artistic director Joe Brancato and Francine Newman-McCarthy with the aim of establishing Rockland County's first year-round nonprofit professional theatre. Its home, then and now, is a century-old, repurposed barn in historic Stony Point, which has been converted into a comfortable, accessible 108-seat venue. Penguin has grown from a summer theatre to become one of the lower Hudson Valley’s most impactful cultural institutions by employing award-winning theatre artists to make top-notch professional theatre accessible and affordable to the region. Now entering its 48th year of operation, Penguin's mission remains the same: To promote new voices and produce new works for the stage, to nurture and develop emerging talent, and to reach new audiences. Integral to that mission is the development and sharing of enduring stories that offer a wide canvas of emotions, with an emphasis on those that raise awareness of injustice, promote conversation, and offer chances to connect with universal hopes, challenges and dreams. Penguin Rep Theatre is a Co-Op Resident Company at 59E59 Theaters.
Read more at: www.penguinrep.org
★★★★ "The late great comedians brought to vivid life"
"Joe Brancato directs with consummate flair and sensitivity" – NY Stage Review
"The stars align in Gene & Gilda"
"It is a consistent pleasure to watch the first-rate work of stars Jonathan Randell Silver and Jordan Kai Burnett, who expertly capture the essence of Wilder and Radner, physically, vocally and emotionally" – Cititour
"Lovely and moving" – From the Orchestra
"Successfully captures the spirit of these two extraordinary comic geniuses"
"A love story that is relatable to all of us" – NewsNotesDance
"Jonathan Randell Silver is not only a physically credible Gene but does a superb job with the nuances of his character. In Jordan Kai Burnett, we get Gilda Radner reincarnate. Accent, mannerisms, all go beyond impersonation to embodiment." – T and B on the Aisle
"Their dialogue sparkels with classic romantic screwball rhythm"
"Burnett channels Gilda so convincingly, the two could have been mistaken for twins." – Stage and Cinema
"Absorbing, funny, and ultimately moving" – Wall Street Journal
"Gene & Gilda illuminates the legacy of two comedy legends with heart and humor"
"A tender tribute, a reminder of two stars who burned brightly–and briefly–but left behind an unforgettable glow."
"Written with warmth and reverence by Cary Gitter and directed with precision and sensitivity by Joe Brancato, the production offers a glimpse into the laughter, vulnerability, and humanity behind the famous faces." – Times Square Chronicles
"A much-appreciated reminder that some comedy — much like Willy’s gobstoppers — is everlasting." – TheaterMania
"Wildly funny... Gitter’s play showcases two gifted and sensitive souls as they are best remembered—in their prime and at their funniest." – OffOffOnline
"Practically brings the legends back to life"
"Jonathan Randell Silver, with his nebbishy demeanor and naturally curly hair, effortlessly channels Wilder, while Jordan Kai Burnett's spung, comedic delivery and occasional turn of Yiddish phrase is pure Radner." – New York Jewish Week