It’s the second act of “The Sunshine Boys,” and advancement assistant Annie Abrams ’99 is on stage with Danny DeVito, dressed in a tight white nurse’s costume with padded sleeves and making the crowd burst into laughter.
Abrams has been performing in the show at the Ahmanson Theater eight times a week since Sept. 24, and the show will continue to run through Nov. 3.
“I’ve always wanted to perform at the Ahmanson, and I’ve been attending shows there since I was a little girl,” Abrams said. “It’s been a thrill to perform in a comedy on that stage with such a remarkable cast.”
The show stars Judd Hirsch and DeVito, who previously worked together on the television series “Taxi” and have reunited on stage for the first time since.
“Danny and Judd are both comedic geniuses,” Abrams said. “Every rehearsal, and every show, is a lesson in comedy, and acting in general. I’m especially lucky because my scene in the play is with Danny, and we have a blast each night.”
Abrams loves performing comedy since she feels that every show is different depending on the audience’s reaction. In the show, set in 1972, Abrams plays a sexy nurse. For inspiration for her vaudeville character, Abrams looked to some of her favorite comedic actresses, including Lucille Ball and Marilyn Monroe.
Abrams now works part-time at Harvard-Westlake as an advancement assistant, but she is currently off work due to the show. Many faculty members plan on seeing the show.
“Annie was the best part of the show,” advancement administrator Leah Smith said. “She was incredible, a modern day Betty Boop.”
As a student at Harvard-Westlake, Abrams was in musicals and plays and performed with Chamber Singers and Dance Production. Abrams’ favorite role at Harvard-Westlake was Fiona in the musical “Brigadoons” during her senior year.
Walch recalls Abrams as one of the “very best, smartest, and most disciplined” actors that he has ever worked with at Harvard-Westlake.
“She had dazzling professional promise from the beginning with a work ethic to match,” Walch said, “Furthermore, she has always been a pleasure to work with.”
