Albornoz, Sciuto to Star in "I Love Lucy" Remake at Toby's Dinner Theater
Gabe Albornoz, a Montgomery County At-Large Council member, announced this week that he will not seek reelection in 2026. "After a great deal of consideration, I have decided not to seek a third term," he shared on Facebook.
While he may be leaving public service, Albornoz isn’t leaving the public spotlight. "I am reigniting a passion that I let smolder for 30 years—my love for theater and the performance arts," he said.
Albornoz will be joined on stage by fellow Council members Sidney Katz and Marilyn Balcombe in a reimagined stage production of "I Love Lucy." Alexa Sciuto, a Baltimore teacher and social activist, will play the titular role.
Albornoz will play the iconic bandleader Ricky Ricardo, channeling Desi Arnaz, and says he's ready to beat the bongos. "I've spent years drumming up support for policies," Albornoz quipped. "Now, I'll be drumming up laughs."
Katz, the term-limited 75-year-old veteran, is making his stage debut. "When I learned they were still casting for Fred Mertz, I told the producers to stop looking: I've had a curmudgeonly sidekick twenty-five years my senior trying to keep up with me for the last eight years," Albornoz said.
Balcombe, who is expected to be reelected easily next year, says juggling the role of Ethel Mertz and her job as a Council member won't be difficult. "Unless someone wants to build affordable housing at Butler's Orchard, it's just not that busy up here," she said.
While Montgomery County's trio is sure to attract crowds, critics expect Alexa Sciuto as Lucy Ricardo to steal the spotlight. "Lucy's always getting into hot water," Sciuto said, flashing her signature smirk. "And hair dye doesn't faze me."
The Reimagined "I Love Lucy"
The stage production recreates two classic TV show episodes with modern twists.
"Lucy Does a TV Commercial"
Lucy steals the part of the "Vitameatavegamin" health tonic girl, but what she and the commercial director are unaware of is that the tonic contains a gram of psychedelic mushroom in each serving. Ricky's television show goes live with Albornoz belting out a Tony-worthy "Babalu." Lucy staggers from backstage, transfixed by the multicolored stage lights. She giggles, waves to the camera, and starts singing to the tune of the Alphabet Song, "A-C-A-B, C-R-T, B-L-M, L-G-B-T, Q...," until Ricky desperately carries Lucy off the stage.
"Lucy's Italian Movie"
En route to Rome, Italy, an Italian producer offers Lucy a role in a film called "Sour Grapes." When a local grape stomper stomps on Lucy's free speech, Lucy mocks the "winer" and picks a fight. The stomper goes down in a messy, hilarious slapstick defeat.
Opening night is set for December at Toby's Dinner Theater in Columbia, Maryland, where the stars don't just perform—they also wait tables. "It's a natural for all of us," said Albornoz. "Sidney, Marilyn, and I have been serving constituents for decades, and Alexa serves papers like a pro."
