'Sidekicked' Bares the Real Ethel Mertz

The "Sidekicked" set at the Delray Beach Playhouse (Photo: NBPL)

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life

Who doesn't know Ethel Mertz, Lucy and Desi's landlady from one of television's most beloved and longest-running syndicated shows that aired in the Fifties, "I Love Lucy."

Less known is the story behind the woman who played Ethel, Vivian Vance. That's the subject of a new, one-woman play by Kim Powers -- "Sidekicked" --  now showing through Sept. 29 in the Cabaret Theatre at the Delray Beach Playhouse.  

Directed by Genie Croft and starring Irene Adjan as Ms. Vance, it lifts the curtain on the life story behind the actress who found lasting fame as Lucy's second banana. Set on the final night of filming "I Love Lucy," Ethel, in housecoat and hair rollers, bares her soul to an unseen analyst,  from her childhood in Kansas and multiple marriages to  her dislike of co-star William Fraley and the deep insecurities that almost derailed her career.

Cleverly weaving in some of the most memorable scenes from the classic sitcom, Ms. Adjan's performance evokes the joy, pain and pathos that was Ms. Vance's life. As a one-person production, running almost 90 minutes, it's a demanding role, and Ms. Adjan is more than up to the challenge. In fact, once you see "Sidekicked," you'll never think about the landlady who shared morning coffee with Lucy the same way again.

Tickets for "Sidekicked" range from $59 to $69 and are available online at delraybeachplayhouse.com or by calling 561-272-1281. Performances are on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm. All performances will take place at the Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW 9th Street, Delray Beach (33444)
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