Everyone enjoys a brief stroll down memory lane once in a while. But even for those who frequent that nostalgic place often, there are always memories that manage to fall through the cracks of time. So, how does one find what memories have been forgotten? They spend an evening with comedian and original “Seinfeld” writer Pat Hazell for his one-man show, “The Wonderbread Years.”
This show is not only a tribute to baby boomers, but recognizes the evolution of American pop culture since the days of metallic easy-bake ovens and lawn darts. Packed with reflection and irresistible humor, Hazell knows how to unite Americans from both sides of the generation gap.
As soon as the lights set, Hazell chose an audience member to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Everyone stood up, placed their hands over their hearts, and in unison, flawlessly recited a passage so ingrained to memory that even years out of use we recalled it without a stutter.
“Everyone remembers the time of the Pledge of Allegiance,” Hazell said. “It is something that is able to unite everyone in this room because, whether you’re 65 or 25, everyone was five at one time.”
There were certainly segments that reached too far back in time for this reviewer’s sake. Nevertheless, Hazell has a talent for storytelling that captures a person’s attention while they wait anxiously to be reconnected with another piece of their childhood, enticing them to question the whereabouts of once-familiar events and traditions.
“What ever happened to the flag at the end of a broadcast day?” Hazell asked. “We used to wake up, play, eat and go to bed. What happened to the end of a broadcast day?”
A particularly special theme was the show-and-tell segment in which Hazell invited the audience to share stories that evoked giddiness and laughter. One audience member recalled stealing a ring that her classmate had brought in on show-and-tell day. And as more people shared their childhood experiences, the whole theater traveled back in time to recall forgotten moments.
“What I do is help build a community in the theater for this time together,” Hazell said. “We can just enjoy our memories.”
Whether it was recalling old stunts at school, cereal boxes that turned into bowls or old-fashioned gags that preceded the more recent show, “Punk’d,” Hazell was guiding his audience through history, and what a ride it was!
For a one-man show, Hazell put his behind-the-scenes team to work. The stage setting was simple but authentic, resembling an old country home complete with a rocking chair, a clothesline with hanging baby clothes and a sheet and a wooden doorway with an image of grandma and her three grandchildren propped up to greet visitors. The sheet was used in the show to conduct a surprisingly entertaining side show of Hazell as a young boy. It was a brilliant way to tie together many of the elements in his monologue, such as an old-fashioned Christmas in which children usually received random clothing instead of a pile of toys, the Halloween family bin and the “dorky” Dorothy Hammel haircut.
Technically, “The Wonderbread Years” was a skillful collaboration of lights, sound and stage production. Matthew Novotny was responsible for lighting, which efficiently set the mood and supplied segment transitions for Hazell onstage. On sound was Jeremy Siebert, and Sunny Haines was production stage manager.
This is a show about unlocking a bottled sense of wonder in order to reunite with the youthful excitement of childhood through memories. Baby boomer or not, Hazell’s experiment in nostalgia is suited for anyone whose younger years are out of sight.
Hazell ended the show with this message: “If you enjoyed [the show], please tell your friends. If not, tell them anyway, because it’s a fun, crappy trick to play on someone.”
Hazell made his first appearance on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson in 1989 and has made several appearances with Jay Leno. His first endeavor as a playwright was “Bunk Bed Brothers,” which he co-wrote with Matt Goldman. The critically acclaimed show was eventually turned into the film “American Pie.”
“The Wonderbread Years,” a one-time PBS special traveling across the country, is presented by Miracle Theatre Productions and Sweetwood Productions. It is one of the last two shows being presented by Miracle before ceasing to operate out of Old Town.
“The Wonderbread Years” with Pat Hazell is showing at the Theatre in Old Town through December. Showtimes are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. All seats are $30. Information, special holiday performance schedules and tickets are available by calling the Theatre in Old Town box office at (619) 688-2494 or visiting www.thetheatreinoldtown.com.
This review is based on the Nov. 17 performance of “The Wonderbread Years” at The Theatre in Old Town.