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The Wonderbread Years

Presented by The Long Center for the Performing Arts at The Long Center: Michael and Susan Dell Hall

April 8-April 11, 2010

Avg. Event Rating (4.2 Stars):
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A salute to the Baby Boomer Generation, The Wonder Bread Years is a fast-paced, hilarious production that gracefully walks the line between stand-up and theater. Audiences across the country are enjoying a show that not only restores a much-needed sense of wonder; it also leaves audiences laughing and savoring the past like never before.

 

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Venue Info

    The Long Center for the Performing Arts > The Long Center: Michael and Susan Dell Hall

    The Long Center for the Performing Arts
    701 W. Riverside Drive
    Austin, TX 78704

    Full map and directions

  • Admission Info

    Tickets:

    $39

    Info Phone: 512-474-LONG (5664)

    Buy Tickets

  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    April 8-April 11, 2010

    Times:
    

    April 8-10 , 8pm

    April 11, 3pm
     

  • Accessibility Info

    Currently, no accessibility information is available for this event.

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  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: The Wonderbread Years
      "In My LIfe"
      Review posted by: Steven Fearing from Austin, Texas, Apr 09, 2010
      

      Pat Hazell in The Wonderbread Years is hilarious. He delivers a tender and irreverent homage to 50s and 60s Americana. Older baby boomers will relish his nostalgic meditations on Kool-aid, lawn... Expand

      Pat Hazell in The Wonderbread Years is hilarious. He delivers a tender and irreverent homage to 50s and 60s Americana. Older baby boomers will relish his nostalgic meditations on Kool-aid, lawn darts, sugar cereals, Big Chief tablets, easy-bake ovens, silly putty, dairy queens, and Velveeta cheese. I wished Hazell had included early T.V. shows and characters in this script. Yet, this show beautifully honors the inner child and memories of any adult generation when we peak at Hazell’s childhood Halloweens and family road-trips. Hazell invites you to laugh and reconnect with the wonder of growing up. The second act opens with family slides and the Beatles singing, “There are places I remember” (In My life, Rubber Soul). A melancholy briefly grabbed my heart. My group of baby boomers grew up with the Beatles and that song. In this show, it uncovered not only the grief associated with loss of childhood, but also the loss of innocence and a former sense of community in American life. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Wonderbread Years
      "The wonder of childhood"
      Review posted by: Jay Y from Austin, TX, Apr 09, 2010
      

      The Wonder Bread Years is basically a standup comedy routine about growing up in the time period between the 50s and 70s. The star of the one-man show, Pat Hazell, talks about things like how the word... Expand

      The Wonder Bread Years is basically a standup comedy routine about growing up in the time period between the 50s and 70s. The star of the one-man show, Pat Hazell, talks about things like how the word "sugar" used to be in the names of cereals- "Sugar Frosted Flakes" instead of "Frosted Flakes" and "Sugar Pops" instead of "Corn Pops", old grade school traditions like Show-and-Tell, pre-video game toys such as silly putty, and family traditions like home slide shows. Hazell is funny and engaging; he said his goal was for the audience to think that he could be their neighbor, and he succeeded admirably. His whole point was that as kids, we have a sense of wonder, and he wants adults to re-capture that sense. I recommend seeing the Wondbread Years to have that sense of wonder, even if just for the duration of the performance- it's worth it. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Wonderbread Years
      "More stand-up comedy than play..."
      Review posted by: Nora Ruiz from Austin, TX, Apr 08, 2010
      

      The Wonderbread Years is a bit like the bread itself: white, vacuous, comforting, and a little sweet. If you like the movie "The Christmas Story," you'll love this piece, as it uses the same... Expand

      The Wonderbread Years is a bit like the bread itself: white, vacuous, comforting, and a little sweet. If you like the movie "The Christmas Story," you'll love this piece, as it uses the same nostalgic voice for all things of the 50's and early 60's. A revue of the material culture related to white middle class American childhood, most people of that age group will identify with some familiar object of that era, even if our cultural backgrounds are quite different. A clever stand-up comic, this solo performer keeps his monologue rolling through childhood memories of vacations, show & tell, Halloween costumes, Christmas stockings, candy and other junk food, popular toys and more. What is SPAM? It's fun to watch a 40 year old man so fully transform into a 10 year old (even if it reminds me of a few husbands in the past.) He's a funny guy, and a few improvisational bits with the audience kept the monologue fresh. A fun and frothy evening out! Collapse

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  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: The Wonderbread Years
      "In My LIfe"
      Review posted by: Steven Fearing from Austin, Texas, Apr 09, 2010
      

      Pat Hazell in The Wonderbread Years is hilarious. He delivers a tender and irreverent homage to 50s and 60s Americana. Older baby boomers will relish his nostalgic meditations on Kool-aid, lawn... Expand

      Pat Hazell in The Wonderbread Years is hilarious. He delivers a tender and irreverent homage to 50s and 60s Americana. Older baby boomers will relish his nostalgic meditations on Kool-aid, lawn darts, sugar cereals, Big Chief tablets, easy-bake ovens, silly putty, dairy queens, and Velveeta cheese. I wished Hazell had included early T.V. shows and characters in this script. Yet, this show beautifully honors the inner child and memories of any adult generation when we peak at Hazell’s childhood Halloweens and family road-trips. Hazell invites you to laugh and reconnect with the wonder of growing up. The second act opens with family slides and the Beatles singing, “There are places I remember” (In My life, Rubber Soul). A melancholy briefly grabbed my heart. My group of baby boomers grew up with the Beatles and that song. In this show, it uncovered not only the grief associated with loss of childhood, but also the loss of innocence and a former sense of community in American life. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Wonderbread Years
      "The wonder of childhood"
      Review posted by: Jay Y from Austin, TX, Apr 09, 2010
      

      The Wonder Bread Years is basically a standup comedy routine about growing up in the time period between the 50s and 70s. The star of the one-man show, Pat Hazell, talks about things like how the word... Expand

      The Wonder Bread Years is basically a standup comedy routine about growing up in the time period between the 50s and 70s. The star of the one-man show, Pat Hazell, talks about things like how the word "sugar" used to be in the names of cereals- "Sugar Frosted Flakes" instead of "Frosted Flakes" and "Sugar Pops" instead of "Corn Pops", old grade school traditions like Show-and-Tell, pre-video game toys such as silly putty, and family traditions like home slide shows. Hazell is funny and engaging; he said his goal was for the audience to think that he could be their neighbor, and he succeeded admirably. His whole point was that as kids, we have a sense of wonder, and he wants adults to re-capture that sense. I recommend seeing the Wondbread Years to have that sense of wonder, even if just for the duration of the performance- it's worth it. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Wonderbread Years
      "More stand-up comedy than play..."
      Review posted by: Nora Ruiz from Austin, TX, Apr 08, 2010
      

      The Wonderbread Years is a bit like the bread itself: white, vacuous, comforting, and a little sweet. If you like the movie "The Christmas Story," you'll love this piece, as it uses the same... Expand

      The Wonderbread Years is a bit like the bread itself: white, vacuous, comforting, and a little sweet. If you like the movie "The Christmas Story," you'll love this piece, as it uses the same nostalgic voice for all things of the 50's and early 60's. A revue of the material culture related to white middle class American childhood, most people of that age group will identify with some familiar object of that era, even if our cultural backgrounds are quite different. A clever stand-up comic, this solo performer keeps his monologue rolling through childhood memories of vacations, show & tell, Halloween costumes, Christmas stockings, candy and other junk food, popular toys and more. What is SPAM? It's fun to watch a 40 year old man so fully transform into a 10 year old (even if it reminds me of a few husbands in the past.) He's a funny guy, and a few improvisational bits with the audience kept the monologue fresh. A fun and frothy evening out! Collapse

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