Hollywood Arms, written by Carol Burnett and her daughter Carrie Hamilton (NOT the little girl in this photo), is a delightful play that debuted on Broadway in 2002 and is based on Burnett's memoir "One More Time". The play takes place in 1941 and 1951 and shows young Carol (played on Broadway by this 9 year-old girl Sara Niemietz) having to deal with an overprotective grandmother, an absent, alcoholic father, and a mother who is so focused on her own career that she can't provide for her own family. There are literally dozens of scenes but the breaks are short with just enough stage light that the small scenery changes keep your mind distracted. There are some truly funny spots but more emotional heart tugs. I ended up spending a lot of thought wondering "How could this situation have been fixed? Could anyone have made all these characters live together more happily?" I also felt grateful for my wonderful, boring life.
This was an excellent play performed well at the Chautauqua Playhouse in Carmichael. I highly recommend it.
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