Take a Banana for the Ride

by Jeff Ross

Nederlander Theatre  

Directed by Stephen Kessler

Costumes by Toni Leslie James,  Lighting by Adam Honore,  Projections by Stefania Bulbarella, Sound by Daniel Lundberg

2025

Jeff Ross

Jeff Ross

Jeff Ross

Jeff Ross

Jeff Ross

Jeff Ross

“In his banana-yellow suit (by Toni-Leslie James), he takes us on a tour of his family and childhood, with the help of old photos and home videos projected inside the many large, ornate frames on Beowulf Boritt’s handsome, curve-walled set. (Projection design is by Stefania Bulbarella.)”          

~Laura Collins-Hughes, The New York Times

“a bright yellow suit (costume by Toni-Leslie James), matching the color of the bunch of bananas on a central vintage side table next to a blue chaise longue (both from his family’s Clinton Manor Catering business), placed before a curving back wall filled with multiple projection screens in elaborate gold frames (set by Beowulf Boritt), with actively changing photos and videos (projections by Stefania Bulbarella) that show him and the significant people (and dogs!) from his life and relay the moods of his intimate memories.”   

~Deb Miller, DC Theater Arts

“Beowulf Boritt’s set, encased in picture frames with a chaise lounge and old-fashioned pedestal side table center stage, is an ode to Clinton Manor.”

 ~Hayley Levitt, Theatrmania

“Giving the event significant visual punch is a wealth of Ross family photos and home movies. These ever-changing visuals, interspersed with images of other people and places as artfully arranged by projection designer Stefania Bulbarella, light up numerous gilt picture frames of varying large sizes behind the comedian. The images literally bring life to designer Beowulf Boritt’s essential setting of a golden carpet floating within a midnight blue background.” 

~ Michael Sommers, NY Stage Review

“A floor-to-ceiling curved back wall made up of video screens of various shapes and sizes, designed by Tony Award-winning scenic designer Beowulf Boritt. Stefania Bulbarella is in charge of designing the projections, including a host of gracefully floating bananas, seen before the show starts, with messages to the audience written on their peels.”

~ Allen Neuner, In and Out in New Jersey