Lynne Bernfield may be known
here and now chiefly as a crackerjack interviewer with a practice as a licensed
therapist. In BernfieldÕs debut musical autobiography at Glenridge PAC
shows, her multifaceted talents
and achievements have been until now largely ÒUnder the RadarÓ along with hopes for the future
to which she ÒWonÕt Go With a WhimperÓ. Background visuals by Josh C. Harkney
with graphics by Jimmy Hopkins reflect the quality of the story she tells and
sings in her own sparkling words and music. From her career in the performing
arts starting with work with Compass PlayersÕ David Shepherd and improv through
radio, acting, singing, book-authoring but mostly song writing she entered
fields where she could build on her life experiences.
With spoken words and her own lyrics and music Lynne chronicles her mostly ÒSweet Single LifeÓ in New York and an unexpected 20 years in Los Angeles where ÒHollywood Has Got HerÓ but mostly writing ÒLove and the Music.Ó She had a ÒTemporary Love AffairÓ to remember but neither it nor a number of little romances found her married, as her family would have loved. After many years fitting into ÒThe Shape of LonelinessÓ Lynne met a ÒTraveling ManÓ who led her, at age 39, to sing a ÒWedding SongÓ that played out in Sarasota. ÒAs Long as You Loved Me,Ó she finally realized, wasnÕt going to be forever with a husband who went back to L.A. Now divorced Lynne hasnÕt followed any ordinary paths of success, which means she can (and does) tell some quite amusing stories about such bypaths as working carrying a sandwich board. Now that sheÕs reprising a ÒSweet Single Life,Ó she makes clear itÕs not presently or destined to be a whimpering one.
Lynne BernfieldÕs upbeat
biomusical used the off-stage voices of Bobby Brader and Arthur Richards. Her
indispensible good partner was Lanny Meyers for Musical Direction and piano
accompaniment. Lighting Design and progressively better Sound were supplied by Mark Noble. The 90
minute show may soon be in community venues and seemed to please a New York agent
who sat beside me.