Last of the Red Hot Lovers

"One of the most shimmering pearls on Neil Simon's string of hits" - New York Daily News The Lake Pepin Players' production of Neil Simon's Last of the Red Hot Lovers featuring Gary ran from September 3, 1999 - November 20, 1999 and March 22, 2000 - May 14, 2000. It was so successful that a Fall 2000 tour was scheduled; unfortunately, due to production problems the Fall dates were canceled at the last minute. The tour reached 120 theaters across the United States and Canada. It lasted Gary starred as Barney Cashman, the mild-mannered man who yearns for one big fling in his middle-aged, tranquil and faithful married life. Hindered by his conscience yet still determined to fulfill his objective, Barney tries three times to have an affair.

Although the play was originally written in 1970, Gary asked Neil Simon to write some new material for it; the playwright has added some lines and updated others. It is a fantastic, funny, and touching play! I saw the play three times and laughed so hard each time that I was crying.

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Reviews

Have you seen Gary Burghoff in Last of the Red Hot Lovers? If so, please email me your own review of it. Be sure to include where and when you saw the play. I'll post reviews here as I receive them. Special thanks to those who have submitted reviews.

Jack Crane
City: Waco, TX
Date: April 25, 2000
On Tuesday, April 25th., at the Hippodrome Theater in Waco, Texas,we had the opportunity to witness the performance of Gary Burghoff in Last of The Red Hot Lovers. Gary is best remembered as "Radar O'Reilly" from the Mash series. The story follows the efforts, of a middle aged man attempting to have a romantic fling. With the help of a good supporting cast, Mr. Burghoff gives the comedy performance of the year. At times, a little bit of "Radar" creeps into the dialog and this is good. On a scale of 1-10 this play rates a solid 9.5.......

Dorothy
City: Paradise, CA
Date: April 20, 2000
Gary and his cast returned to Paradise, California, where he lives, last night to do a performance that was just golden! He and his cast were all wonderfully talented and made their characters individual and special treats. As some of the other reviewers have said here, I cannot think of this play now without thinking of Gary as being THE best for the role. He far outshown Alan Arkin in the movie... as did his ladies in comparison to the actresses who played those roles... and I liked the cast of the movie!

What a treat it was... and I can sincerely say that anybody who has the chance to see this will be spend a very happy and entertaining evening at the theater if they do. Go!!!!!!

Laura Casteel
City: Wilson, NC
Date: November 15, 1999
I went to The Last of the Red Hot Lovers for only one reason, to see Gary Burghoff, without thinking or really caring what the play itself was about. I was in for a big surprise as I laughed throughout the performance. As much as I love "Radar", I must say that the ladies stole the show last night!! All three gave excellent performances. Gary Burghoff as Barney Cashman was an excellent choice, and now that I've seen the play, I don't know of anyone else who could have performed the part half as well as he did. Throughout the evening I saw little bits and pieces of Radar in Barney's character, but Gary definetely has created an individual very different from his earlier persona. My hat is off to him for his incredible acting ability, as well as Sherri Lubov-Ripps, Genah Gale, and Nancy Marvy. A must see, if you have the opportunity to go I HIGHLY recommend it!

Karen Owens
City: Altoona, PA
Date: October 29, 1999
Watched it last evening (10-29-99) at the Mischler Theatre in Altoona, PA. What a wonderfully funny play! Gary Burghoff, Sherri Lubov-Ripps, Genah Gale, and Nancy Marvy were fantastic! I must say that even though there was the distinct "New York" accent to his voice, "Barney" still had a few of "Radar's" loveable qualities. Gary did a wonderful job portraying Barney Cashman. This play was a funny yet thought-provoking take on the "affairs" of the heart! And, it was all done with such comedic but altruistic flare! The actors were genuinely having a good time "acting" in 'Last of the Red Hot Lovers' and made it fun to watch. I could have stayed for three more showings, if they would have done them last night! I took along my 13-year-old son, who eventually wants to become a director/producer of Broadway plays, and had done some community theater plays and projects locally. The only time he's ever seen Gary Burghoff, quite naturally, is in M*A*S*H syndications. He was thrilled to see how a professional actor--who was so adoringly loved as "Radar"--can step out of that role and into the character of "Barney Cashman" and make him just as loveable. Gary has the distinct ability to draw from "Radar" and make "Barney Cashman" his own. After last night, I don't think I could ever view this play WITHOUT thinking of Gary as "Barney". I've tried thinking of other actors who have done the part, but there are none--not even "three decent ones"--that I could see as "Barney". Gary Burghoff IS Barney Cashman. The three actresses that appeared with Gary--each in her own right, an actress before the play--were so beautiful; talented and brought the believability of Barney's "mid-life crisis"? They were so strong in their portrayals of Elaine Navazio, Bobbi-Michelle, and Jeanette Fisher, I felt as if I were the "lady next door" and laughed at every antic and situation they put poor Barney through. I highly recommend that should you have the chance to see this wonderfully funny and comedic play, GO SEE IT! Just remind yourself that "Radar" has now grown up and has become "Barney Cashman" with a "mid-life" crisis that ends with everyone--even Barney, sort of!--in stitches!!! Great Neil Simon play! (Do you know any Neil Simon plays that aren't?) Great Directing! Great Acting! Great-EST Actors! GO SEE THIS!

Rena Fetters
City: Texarkana, TX
Date: October 16, 1999
I just saw the show last night at our Perot Theatre. It was fabulous. My first time to see Gary Burghoff in person. The play, a Neil Simon, was very funny with some dramatic moments. Going into the show being a big MASH fan, I loved watching how good an actor Mr. Burghoff is, for I didn't see much of Radar, but his character, Barney Cashman. Barney tries three different times to have an affair in his mother's apartment. The actresses playing the "love interests" were great, and all different in character. Sherri Lubov-Ripps (Elaine) was a brash, tell-you-like-it-is. She and Barney have a very physical kiss. Genah Gale (Bobbi) was the pot-smoking-for-"medicinal-reasons", free-spirited actress who every kind trouble seemed to land on her doorstep. And finally, Nancy Marvy (Jeanette) was the prudish, purse-hugging friend of Barney's AND his wife. They have a visceral, yet sweet conversation trying to name three people who are good, kind, and mainly, decent. I love a good ending, and TLOTRHL ends with Barney phoning his wife, Thelma, trying to get her to meet him in the apartment. I highly recommend this show!!!

Barry Young
City: Richmond, IN
Date: October 3, 1999
I just saw the play today in Richmond Indiana, and I must say it was fantastic! It is well worth the money. Incredible acting on all four of the performers parts. Sherri Lubov-Ripps was great as the loud sex starved lady that Benny Cashman (Gary Burghoff) "picks up" at his restuarant. Genah Gale was the sweet young "pot smokin crazy girl". This girl is going to be a huge star if she gets a break, and I am not joking!! Nancy Marvy was the depressed Jeanette Fisher who is trying to figure out what she is doing having an affair with a man she is not even "physically attracted to". What can you say about Gary? He isn't Radar anymore I would vote him for an emmy or whatever awards are givin for plays. I got to meet the cast after the show and got a group pix with them and they were all sweet and took the time to be friendly and talk to me even though they were in a hurry to get on the road! GO SEE IT !!