18 San Diego Uptown News | June 25-July 8, 2010
WHAT’S UP! FROM PAGE 16 AVENUE
be made in the show due to Coleman’s unexpected death. “That was rough in the beginning,” Kornblum admitted. “Now things are more back to normal. The book writer took out any dire references to Gary Coleman, any questionable jokes that were overstepping the bounds.” Kornblum first saw the
show on Broadway and fell in love with it.
“It’s just so funny,” he said. “It’s such an original show that’s well written. I love the comedy. The rhythm is like nothing I’ve ever seen. It clicked with me right away.”
Brian is often the one in the show that tells the characters how life really is in a way that “Sesame Street” never does. He’s the one to admit that his life is terrible in the song “It Sucks to Be Me” and even points out that “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist.”
“His life is awful,” said
Kornblum. “He’s just the kind of person who wants to make people laugh. That’s like me. I like making many people laugh. I’m almost shameless about it. I’ll do whatever it takes.” One scene that either shocks people or makes them laugh is the sex scene between two puppets. Even though there are warning signs in the lobby and the puppets don’t actually have lower bodies, there are always shocked audience members, he said.
“It’s a taboo subject,” he said. “And that’s why the
FROM PAGE 14 SUMMER
“Symphony on the Wild Side” at the San Diego Zoo on Aug. 15, a fun concert featuring animal- oriented music; and a free summer sampler on July 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. For tickets and information, go to
sandiegosymphony.com or call 235-0804.u
show works, because it’s all about taboo subjects. People either laugh at the scene or are squeamish. It works in some cities and not in others.” Working with the puppeteers is a different style of acting, he added.
“I went into the show knowing that you don’t make eye contact with the puppeteers,” he said, who admits he had no prior knowledge of what puppeteers do. “They’re so close to the human players, that’s it’s not hard to shift your focus. After a while, you forget that the puppeteers are there.” The result is a hilarious show that approaches the subject of life’s expectations and realities in a way that entertains, shocks and tells the truth like never before. It’s no wonder that it won the Tony Award for Best Musical. “There are so many
wonderful parts of the show, from the song to the dialogue,” he said. “I’m having a great time doing it.”u
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