Live from Old Bridge, it's Classic TV Night Volunteers' staging of 'Honeymooners,' 'SNL' an annual hit BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer OLD BRIDGE - Even those who are perpetually glued to the tube may feel compelled to leave their spot on the couch this weekend. The township's Cultural Arts Committee is sponsoring Classic TV Night for its fourth year in the township, bringing popular television from yesteryear to the stage. "We sell out all the time. It's a great, community-based type thing," said Township Councilman Kevin Calogera, who performs in the show. Saturday's event sold out during the first week of ticket sales. As of earlier this week, some seats were still available for Friday night, for those who want to enjoy dinner, drinks and music while revisiting some of their favorite TV characters, and even getting in on the action. The show will begin with a performance of an episode of "The Honeymoon- ers," continuing with renditions of classic skits from "Saturday Night Live." Later, audience members will have a chance to participate in a round of "Family Feud." "Doing this show is so much fun, and just to hear the audience laugh makes it even better," said Diane Amabile, a committeemember and performer in the show. Amabile will play Jane Curtin, one of the original cast members of "Saturday Night Live" from the show's birth in 1975, when such comics as Chevy Chase and John Belushi graced the stage. The late Gilda Radner, another talent from the show's formative years, will be played by Lisa Cooney, the township's assistant director of recreation. According to Calogera, Roseanne Roseannadanna, one of Radner's recurring characters on the show, will be featured in one of the skits. Though most in town know Calogera as a politician, those who have attended past years' performances have seen another side of the councilman. Since the event's inception, he has played the role of Ralph Kramden in "The Honeymooners." Calogera said the committee approached him before the first year's event, and presented the idea. Often working closely with the committee on various township projects and events, he was immediately on board and willing to help. "I like to stay involved, because it's a really good community group, and they do a lot for the community," Calogera said. "They said, 'What we really want you to do is play Ralph Kramden.' I said, 'Excuse me?'" Though the councilman had never acted before, he quickly took to following in the late Jackie Gleason's footsteps in portraying the bus driving anti-hero each year. Resident Rob Reckhow will take on the persona of Richard Dawson, the longtime "Family Feud" host, as audience members compete to guess the most popular answers to survey questions. While Dawson became known for kissing female contestants on the game show, there is no word on whether Reckhow plans to take on that aspect of the role. "We have put a tremendous amount of time and effort into this production year after year," said Amabile, who manages the township's Office onAging. "We all volunteer and we all love it." In keeping with the community spirit, Old Bridge's own Zanzibar band will round out the night with a musical performance. The five-man band plays a variety of hit songs as well-known as the featured TV shows of the night. "We call them our house band now, because the guys have been so great in working with us all the time," Amabile said. The buffet dinner and dessert will be provided by Palms Plaza Catering, of Old Bridge, and will have a TV dinner-style theme. Beer, wine and soda are also included in the ticket price of $35. "It's really a great time," Calogera said. The township Parks and Recreation Department helps the committee to make the show a reality, according to Calogera. Tom Badcock, the director of the department, will perform in "The Honeymooners" as Charlie, Kramden's bowling pal. Partial funding for the event came from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, through a grant fromtheMiddlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission. Classic TV Night will be held Feb. 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Bridge Civic Center, located in the municipal complex, Route 516. The event is for adults only. Tickets can be purchased from Lisa Cooney at the recreation department office, or from Diane Amabile at the Senior Center, both located in the municipal complex. For more information, call (732) 721- 5600, ext. 4999 or ext. 6625.