Having scored with stage versions of “I Love Lucy,” “The Honeymooners,” “The Addams Family” and “The Carol Burnett Show,” Canton’s Stardust Dinner Theatre is now tackling the beloved ’70s sitcom “Sanford and Son.”
The shows on March 17 and 25 at Tozzi’s On 12th will feature live re-creations of three classic “Sanford & Son” episodes, fondly performed by a cast of “Sanford” fans.
“We’re having a ball,” said Rufus Malone, who has the choice comic role of Fred Sanford.
“Sanford and Son,” which ran on NBC from 1972-1977, starred comedian Redd Foxx as curmudgeon junkyard owner Fred Sanford and Demond Wilson as his son and reluctant business partner Lamont, with LaWanda Page as Fred’s crotchety sister-in-law Esther and Whitman Mayo as Fred’s happy-go-lucky buddy Grady. Fred often would reference his late wife when faking a heart attack and dramatically declaring, ‘Elizabeth, I’m coming to join you!'”
The Stardust production will feature “Sanford and Son” episodes “Mama’s Baby, Papa’s Maybe,” “Lamont as Othello” and “Wine, Woman and Aunt Esther.”
Keith Porter, who plays Lamont, has been a fan of “Sanford and Son” as long as he can remember. “I’ve seen every episode so many times growing up and even as an adult,” he said. “Not too long ago, my father passed away and I found myself watching more ‘Sanford’ because Fred IS my father. It’s a strange sensation. I see my dad in him so I laugh and cry. It’s part of my childhood and part of my reality.”
