The First Lady of Television

Kicking off its 50th Anniversary Season, Northlight Theatre proudly presents a captivating and memorable production with the World Premiere of James Sherman's The First Lady of Television. This meaningful play is enthralling, engaging audiences with its gripping historical themes of challenging injustice, loyality, communism, and fascism, while bringing to life the remarkable journey of an iconic figure in the world of television. Born Tillie Edelstein, Gertrude Berg emerged as a prominent American actress, screenwriter, and producer with her 1929 trailblazing classic radio show, The Rise of the Goldbergs, which came to be known as The Goldbergs. Berg broke barriers by becoming one of the first women to create, write, produce, and star in a series. In 1949, twenty years after her successful run on radio, The Goldbergs was broadcast on CBS.

It's estimated that more than 10 million people watched Gertrude Berg's show as Molly Goldberg, the big-hearted matriarch, who appeared from the window of her fictional Bronx family home, promoting her sponsor, Sanka coffee, which removed 97% of the caffeine, but not the sleep. The sitcom resonated with its audience, who felt a connection to The Goldbergs' family struggles during tough times, tapping into the current sense of patriotism among Americans that brought families together. Patriotism, a powerful force, often danced dangerously close to its dark counterpart, prejudice, which ultimately ensnared the show when co-star Philip Loeb, who portrayed Molly's husband and beloved patriarch Jake Goldberg, faced significant challenges when his name was included in Red Channels: The Report of Communist Influence in Radio and Television. Unfortunately, this led to him being blacklisted, a situation that affected not just his career but also his personal life, as he was found dead from an apparent overdose of sleeping pills in a room in the Taft Hotel. One would have to be living under a rock to overlook the glaring parallels between this play and the ongoing circumstances in today's television landscape. It's a striking reflection of how those in power are actively seeking to silence dissenting voices, often resorting to unfounded accusations to eliminate anyone who challenges their narrative. The urgency and drama of this situation resonate deeply, revealing the lengths to which individuals will go to maintain control. Loeb, who always denied being a Communist, was blacklisted and listed his name in Red Channels listing because of his connection with his membership in the Council of the Actors' Equity Association. As history appears to echo itself, communism increasingly presents a compelling perspective within our government.

The narrative and cast of "The First Lady of Television" delivered a compelling performance that will ignite your imagination and leave you contemplating the twisted paths that led us to this moment once again. The play, which only runs about 75 minutes, seems to deliberately move slowly during the first 10 to 15 minutes, but gradually brings the audience into a tantalizing obsession with one climactic question: "What's going to happen to the show and who's getting fired?" You get to witness this lovely television family fall apart as they split over this question, and how societal pressure brings out the best and worst in us all.

Cindy Gold delivered a breathtaking performance as Molly Goldberg, captivating the audience with her poignant portrayal of the character's trials and tribulations. Berg, who carried the weight as the creator, writer, producer, and star of a beloved, long-running comedy-drama, was performed flawlessly by Gold, who navigates the complexities of the role while embodying a relatable spirit of Berg, who fights against the face of injustice. I've had the pleasure of witnessing William Dick's remarkable talent in several theatrical productions, and I can confidently say he is genuinely one of the greats. His performances are captivating, and each time he takes the stage, he brings a unique presence that resonates with audiences. As Philip Loeb, Dick's performance is stirring and stellar, making you feel the frustration and fear that weighed on Loeb during his time on The Goldbergs as Jake. Another amazing performance was Mark David Kaplan as Eli Mintz, Uncle David, who provided the solidarity of frustration in his quest to fight for his friend, Phillip Loeb, to remain a part of the show. Rounding off the cast were Sarah Coakley Price (Arlene McQuade/Rosalie), Ty Fanning (Larry Robinson/Sammy), and Joe Dempsey as Walter Hart. I was genuinely delighted by how thoroughly I enjoyed this production, far exceeding my expectations and leaving a lasting impression.

September 14th would mark 59 years since Berg left this earth. Still, the memory of her being Molly Goldberg, the woman who greeted you into her home through a window, while you visited her in yours, will always be considered one of the renowned pioneers for women.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Northlight Theatre

The World premiere of James Sherman's The First Lady of Television

Directed by Aeristic Director BJ Jones

September 4 - October 5, 2025

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