Jack Benny's show goes on

Many actors and many wannabees take on the voices of their idols, but the character of the legendary Jack Benny has been brought to reality by Eddie Carroll.

Audiences for Carroll's show, "Jack Benny's Laughter in Bloom" coming Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Historic Yuma Theatre, 254 S. Main St., may be amazed when the characterization begins.

In a recent telephone interview with Carroll, he explained that the opening of the show does not have jokes - it is an introduction to share the life experience of the entertainer who was born Benjamin Kubelsky, became Jack Benny, and played vaudeville, Broadway and in radio and television, spanning six decades in the entertainment world.

In 1983, a Broadway producer was in Los Angeles looking for someone to do Benny on a tour. "I made an appointment to audition," Carroll said.

He had researched and studied films and tapes of radio and television shows. "I spent months preparing for the role, studying his walk, body language, gestures and his voice. I wanted to become Benny. I was also in a Jack Benny television show briefly.

"So, at the auditions, I waited until last. Prior to that I had found black, horned-rim glasses like Benny wore and dressed like him. I had the same haircut style.

"The producer looked out in the hallway to find the last auditioner. I saw him peek around the corner and stepped out, saying, in the Benny voice, 'Oh, Ted,' and that man shook his head and told his assistant to hire me!

"The tour faded, but I opened my own Jack Benny show and have appeared around the country for the past 10 years."

Benny was a true violinist and had appeared in noted philharmonic orchestras. "He'd be in the orchestra pit or on the stage, creating laughter with his deadpan expressions and pretending to stall with his violin. He would caution his house man, 'For heaven's sake, Rochester,' to take good care of the Strad(ivarius)."

To complete the Benny aura, Carroll said, "I had to learn to play the violin. This was tough, because I'm left-handed so had to learn play like Benny. My wife, Carolyn, a psychologist, hypnotized me so I could become the violinist. And I play 'Love in Bloom.'

"I don't impersonate Benny - I re-create Benny's honest reality and the true humanity of the man."

Being Jack Benny isn't Carroll's only achievement. It is among those being the voice of Jiminy Cricket since 1973 and appearing in numerous television specials. His show has the support of the Benny family and estate and the International Jack Benny Fan Club, and he was proclaimed honorary mayor of Waukegan, Ill., Benny's hometown.

Answering the question, "And how old are you, Mr. Benny?" came the droll voice, "Well, I'm just 39!"

IF YOU GO

-When: 3 p.m. Sunday at the Historic Yuma Theatre, 254 S. Main St.

-Tickets: $18.50 each, available at the Heritage Festivals office, 180 W. 1st St., or by calling 782-5712.

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Pam M. Smith can be reached at psmith@yumasun.com or 539-6856.