Come Blow Your Horn

Until the third act, both this first autobiographical play and the actors seem a bit long in the tooth. The sarcastic humor of Come Blow Your Horn, however, holds up better than most of the other what-would-become-famous one-liners. Stephen A. Gonya looks perpetually worried rather than a slick playboy, as if he knew his days in that role were numbered. J. Paul Wargo beguiles as his 2l-year-old brother who wants to fill his slick shoes and silken shirts, while gathering material to be a writer. He really seems afraid of his parents; who would not be with the glum, overbearing Father of Jack Eddleman? On Broadway, this was, as I remember, the show-stopping role of Lou Jacobi, who disappeared into the part, whereas Eddleman is just an actor mouthing lines. The real scene-theft belongs to pudgy Genevieve Chase's confused Mother, especially in her telephone answering bit. Cathleen O'Brien is adequate as playboy Alan's playgirl, but Libby Snyder wins the dubious "catch" as sweet and virginal Connie. This play may be past its prime in regular theatres, but it does well past the prime rib at Venice's cozy dinner venue.