Sidekicked presented by the Dorset Theatre Festival, Dorset, VT, USA

Sidekicked written by Kim Powers and starring Kelly McAndrew is a tour-de-force one-woman play about the enthralling life of Vivian Vance, better known by television fans of the I Love Lucy Show, as Ethel Mertz, sidekick to Lucy Riccardo starring Lucille Ball. Presented by the Dorset Theatre Festival in Dorset, Vermont, the play takes the audience on a rollicking ride inside the fascinating real life of Vivian Vance, as well as her relationship with Lucile Ball, Desi Arnaz, and William Frawley. We saw the play on opening night, August 2, 2024, and the play hit all the right notes. The play runs until August 17, 2024.

Kelly McAndrew in SIDEKICKED at Dorset Theatre Festival

We had the pleasure of experiencing the play, Sidekicked, on opening night, August 2, 2024, and the theatre was filled with appreciative theatre lovers. While we knew that the play was about the life of Vivian Vance who played Lucy Riccardo’s landlady and neighbor on the I Love Lucy Show, (which ran on television from 1951-1957, and is still available on various channels), starring Lucille Ball and her husband, Desi Arnaz, and William Frawley who played her on-screen husband Fred Mertz, we did not know much about her fascinating real life.

Kelly McAndrew in SIDEKICKED at Dorset Theatre Festival

Playwright Kim Powers is a two-time Emmy winning writer and author, and he deftly and engagingly tells the compelling and fascinating backstory of the life of Vivian Vance, born Vivian Roberta Jones in 1909 in Kansas (Vivian died in 1974). Once she found dramatics and acting in high school, there was no stopping the vivacious Vivian Vance.

Kelly McAndrew in SIDEKICKED at Dorset Theatre Festival

However, no matter how compelling a story is written, and it is indeed compelling, it is ultimately up to the actor to embody the persona of the character and bring it to life for the audience. The talented and highly credentialed Kelly McAndrew (Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional Theatre, Film, and Television) held the audience in the palm of her hand enthralled as she had an intimate conversation about her life. Growing up in a religious household, Vivian’s mother was against her becoming an actor, yet she knew that she was destined to act and went on to pursue her dreams.

Kelly McAndrew in SIDEKICKED at Dorset Theatre Festival

Vivian Vance’s professional life was a series of ups-and-downs with performances on the stage, on Broadway, in films, and on television, personally, she had a virtual rollercoaster of marriages (married four times and divorced three times), yet despite all the professional and personal turmoil in her life, her engaging spirit and determination, along with her vulnerability shows through in Kim Powers’ beautifully and well-written play. Sidekicked is a perfect blend of humor, intimacy, and sadness.

Kim Powers – Playwright – Sidekicked

After a thundering standing ovation, we had the opportunity to chat with Kim Powers after the performance, about the real woman behind the Ethel Mertz role, a role that she is still remembered for by her long-time fans. Bravo! Until next time, keep enjoying and supporting the arts!

Sidekicked Cast and Crew

Dorset Theatre Festival 2024 Season

Box Office Sumer Hours: Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm, and Sunday from 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm.

Performance Schedule: Wednesday, August 7 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 PM; Thursday, August 8 – 7:30 PM; Friday, August 9 – 7:30 PM; Saturday, August 10 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 PM; Sunday, August 11 – 2:00 PM, Wednesday, August 14 – 2:00 PM, 7:30 PM; Thursday, August 15 – 7:30 PM, Friday, August 16 – 7:30 PM; Saturday, August 17 – 2:00 PM 

Dorset Theatre Festival, Dorset, VT, USA

For more information on the Dorset Theatre Festival and their upcoming events, please visit the website: https://dorsettheatrefestival.org/

Dorset Theare Festival
104 Cheney Road
PO Box 510
Dorset, Vermont 05251
Telephone: +1-802-867-2223 Ext. 101
Box Office Email: boxoffice@dorsettheatrefestival.org
Email: dtf@dorsettheatrefestival.org
Website: https://dorsettheatrefestival.org/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dorsettheatrefestival

Read more features on Vermont in the Destinations and Arts sections.

For more information on Dorset, Vermont, please visit the website: Dorset Chamber of Commerce

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