Review: Oregon's White Pines theater features Crystal Lake natives, worth the trip

Note to readers: This is an occasional theater column. Reviews of productions will be written by various members of area theater companies, as well as educators.

Nestled among a tall pine forest, the White Pines Inn in Oregon, Illinois, houses a restaurant famous for its home-cooked meals and a dinner theater. Perhaps not to the standards of a Drury Lane, the inn –  built in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Crops – seats more than 100 comfortably around tables and padded chairs.

My husband and I bought the White Pines VIP package, which included a show, home-cooked buffet, free breakfast and a log cabin stay. We were in attendance for the sold-out opening of the musical comedy revue “The Boob Tube Reruns 2015.” Billed as a nostalgic look back at the Golden Age of television, the show focuses on the classics: “I Love Lucy,” “The Carol Burnett Show,” “The Honeymooners” “The Golden Girls,” “Mama’s Family” and a few quick nods to summer reruns.

“The Boob Tube” is the brain-child of the talented Jerry and Alison Hage of Crystal Lake. The Hages are familiar Woodstock Opera House performers. Rounding out the quartet are Rick Johnson of Bartlett and Karen Peterson of Rolling Meadows. “The Boob Tube” wisely weaves sketches and music through an engaging introduction of the TV greats to the Hages’ real-life granddaughter, 11-year-old Mia. Mia, of course, is more familiar with Lady Gaga than Julie Andrews and viral highlights of TV programs on her iPad. Mia and Jerry play off each other particularly well in his attempts to acquaint her with “ancient history.” Their “Together” duet especially is touching.

All four adults bring a special individualism to the show. Jerry Hage is lightning-fast on his feet and the master of the ad lib, although his wife, Alison, beat him to the punch when the power went off and she quipped, “I told you to pay the bills.” Johnson is superb in his spot-on characterizations of Tim Conway and George Burns.

Alison Hage and Peterson make their entrances with the ubiquitous “Adams Family” snap; Alison is the elegant one who does an incredible Jayne Meadows, and Peterson is the straight man with the strongest musical vocal range.

All four are energetic, expressive and definitely perserverant. They changed the set and soldiered on despite several glitches, ranging from reverberating mikes to late or wrong music being played.

Numerous TV shows are covered in this entertaining 2-hour, 10-minute revue. The best sketches are the Tim Conway/Harvey Korman dentist scene, the “Went With the Wind/Gone With the Wind” satire (unfortunately interrupted by intermission and dessert, but still garnering huge laughs), the “Honeymooners Broadway Ticket” scene and “The Mama’s Family Monopoly” sketch. Musical duets and solos allow for transitions and costume changes. The songs range from the exquisite Garland/Streisand “Happy Days Are Here Again,” performed by Alison Hage and Peterson, to Jerry Hage’s humorous “Making Whoopee” (with Mia’s Barbie and Ken dolls).

Johnson shows an amiable ability as a crooner in “Red Roses for a Blue Lady.” The ensemble even throws in some Gene Kelly-inspired choreography. But it is the humor and sincerity of the performers that continually strengthen this revue.

The set is simple and utilitarian. The costumes are reminiscent of the TV programs they represent. Audience members were enthralled and enthusiastic in their appreciation of the cast from start to finish – they even sang along when invited. It’s worth the drive to White Pines to catch this light-hearted revue.

• Regina Belt-Daniels is a working actress and director who began her career onstage at the Woodstock Opera House in 1985. Currently serving on the Raue Center for the Arts Board, she also is a lifetime member of TownSquare Players and a retired District 47 teacher.

“The Boob Tube Reruns 2015”

WHEN: Through June 25

WHERE: White Pines Dinner Theater, 6712 White Pines Road, Oregon, Illinois

COST & INFO: A nostalgic look back at the Golden Age of television. Schedule: performances scheduled for June 18 and 23-25. Seating at 11:45 a.m. for matinees, 5:45 p.m. for evening shows, 3:30 p.m. for Sunday show. Cost: $29 a person for matinees, including lunch buffet; $33 a person for evenings, including dinner buffet; $21 for children. VIP packages, including cabin stay, cost $177 a couple. Information: www.whitepinesinn.com or 815-946-3817.