Comedian kicks off season at State Theatre
As the lights come up, Bob Newhart – yes, that’s Bob Newhart – will take center stage, opening the State Theatre Center for the Arts’ 2005-2006 season Saturday at 8 p.m. Billed as “An Evening with Bob Newhart,” a near sell-out crowd will join the seasoned comedian/actor for the classic shtick and improvisation for which he is famous.
“Last year, when we heard that he was doing limited tours, we aggressively went after him,” said Marty Schiff, executive director of the theater, who cut his eye teeth listening to what is now classic Newhart.
A stop in Uniontown fit well into Newhart’s schedule.
“It ties in with … I’m playing in Indianapolis, Indiana, the night before,” Newhart said in a phone interview, “so it all just dovetailed.”
He is looking forward to his first visit to Fayette County.
“I love playing the old theaters, there is so much history there,” he said.
As for his program choices
“I’m not sure just what I’ll be doing,” he said. “I won’t know until I get there.”
But with more than 40 years of material, he’s not worried.
“I will probably do one or two of the old routines, and then add some new,” he said. “Every audience is different. It usually takes about five minutes for me to figure out what will make them laugh.”
Newhart loves to hear the laughter.
For Schiff, this is one of life’s full-circle events.
He has met Newhart before.
“I was actually on ‘Newhart,'” he said.
Schiff appeared as an “irate customer” in the episode “Cupcake on my Back” that originally aired Feb. 20, 1989.
So, having Newhart appear here is particularly thrilling. Schiff notes that Newhart’s appearance “is definitely one of the highlights of the upcoming season.”
“But Bob Newhart is just the beginning,” he said with much emphasis. According to Schiff, this season at the theater is one that will be full of surprises.
“There’s so much more going on,” he said. “Everyone should watch for announcements of new and exciting acts being added. We’ve heard the Clarks maybe coming, and maybe even George Carlin. You just never know what’s going to happen.”
To purchase any remaining tickets to “An Evening with Bob Newhart” or for ticket information or updates about upcoming events, call the State Theatre Center for the Arts box office at 724-439-1360 or visit their Web site at www.statetheatre.info.