There's so much variety in the professional and personal life of Roberta MacDonald (nee Schiff, now Turoff) that it's hard to believe she's lived 40 years of them as co-owner and leading lady of The Golden Apple Dinner Theater. As the theater faces a crisis threatening its existence, she's displaying a major reason for it to continue.
Roberta's story consists of her memories and opinions told to us and writer Bob Plunket, a Sarasota Magazine editor famous locally for his wry "Mr. Chatterbox" column. On stage with Roberta, he guides her reminiscences with comments and his own questions or, toward the end of the program, a number of queries from the audience.
Plunket and Roberta are done up attractively in formal attire, which she changes at times to suit the songs she sings. A rack of costumes she's worn in Apple shows has her going through both songs and memories from them. Her "I'm Still Here" rendition could be her theme song.
Fans of Roberta MacDonald (and as I've said before, they are legion) will have what they like about her deepened and get "filled in" on gaps in their knowledge of her. For instance, she reveals info on her multifaceted early TV career (other than her well-publicized stint on "The Today Show"). She tells of many of the celebrities she knew and worked with in media and in a range of theaters (after her debut at 15 in the chorus of South Pacific during its first Broadway run), and she gives details of her romances before meeting and falling in love with Bob. Her account of much more recent bouts with cancers is moving without being maudlin.
Projections of the early Roberta are the best I've seen at The Apple. Her songs now can't be faulted, especially a fine rendition of "La vie en rose" (in accurate French) as well as a rollicking, "When You're Good to Mama." She's equally good at improv. Her stage-mate and audience questions draw her out nicely.
If only her fans would be seeing her, I'd add stars to my assessment. Others, including new Apple patrons, should enjoy meeting Roberta this way and may even venture to add stars to their rating. No one should be disappointed.
Someone asked what she'd like to be doing five or ten years from now. Guess the answer.
