My wife was thoroughly unexcited about seeing Play It Again, Sam at Lakewood Playhouse. She's insisted for quite some time - or at least any time we look at comedies to rent or talk about seeing Midnight In Paris - that she hates Woody Allen movies. What's more, she'd seen the film of Play It Again long ago, and hated that as much as anything else Allen had done.

My argument through all of this has been she probably doesn't hate Woody Allen scripts so much as she hates Woody Allen - a sentiment I don't necessarily hold to, but can certainly appreciate.

So it's a testament both to me being right, and to Alex Smith's talent at bringing characters to life in his own way, that she turned to me at intermission of Lakewood's Play It Again and said, "Wow, this is a lot better when Woody Allen's not in it."

To read Joe Izenman's full review, click here.

Play It Again, Sam

Through Feb. 12, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
"Actor's Benefit, Saturday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m., $17-$23      
Lakewood Playhouse, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center, Blvd., Lakewood
253.588.0042