It's Only A Play

It’s Only a Play is playing at the Schoenfeld Theatre located at 236 West 45th Street. The show will run at this theatre until January 23, 2015. It will resume at the Bernard Jacob Theatre located at 242 West 45th Street until March 29, 2015. It runs for two hours and thirty minutes with one intermission.

The play premiere off off Broadway in 1982. It ran off Broadway at the Manhattan Theatre Club Center Stage 1 from December 17, 1985 thru January 6, 1986.

Terrance McNally is the playwright. He has won four Tony Awards. They are “Ragtime” (1998), “Masterclass” (1996), Love! Valour! Compassion! (1995) and “Kiss of the Spider Women” (1993). Terrance was nominated for two Tony awards for “Mothers and Sons” (2014) and “The Full Monty” (2001). He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1994 for “A Perfect Ganesh”.

Jack O’Brien is the director. He won three Tony Awards for, The Coast of Utopia (2007), “Henry IV” (2004) and “Hairspray” (2003). Jack was nominated for six Tony Awards for, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” (2001), “The Invention of Love” (2001), “The Full Monty” (2001), “Two Trains Running” (1992), “The Piano Lessons” (1990) and “Porgy and Bess” (1977).

Scott Pask is the scenic designer. He won three Tony Awards for, “The Book of Mormons” (2011), “The Coast of Utopia” (2007) and “The Pillowman” (2005). Scott was nominated for two Tony Awards, ”Pal Joey” (2009) and “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” (2008).

Ann Roth is the costume designer. She won a Tony Award for “The Nance” (2013) and was nominated for four Tony Awards for “The Book of Mormons” (2011), “The House of Blue Leaves” (1996), “The Crucifer for Blood” (1979) and “The Royal Family” (1976). Ann won an Academy Award in 1997 for “The English Patient”.

F. Murray Abraham won an Obie in 2011 for “the Merchant of Venice”. He won an Academy Award in 1985 for “Amadeus”.

Stockhard Channing won a Tony Award for “A Day in the Life of Joe Egg” (1985) and was nominated for six Tony Awards for “Other Desert Cities” (2012), “Pal Joey” (2009), “The Lion Winter” (1999), “Four Baboons Adoring the Sun” (1992), “Six Degrees of Separation” (1991) and “The House of Blue Leaves” (1986). Stockhard won three Emmy Awards for “The West Wing” ( 2000, 2001 and 2002).

Katie Finneran won two Tony Awards for “Promises, Promises” (2010) and “Noises Off” (2002).

Martin Short won a Tony Award for “Little Me” (1999).

Bob Stillman was nominated for a Tony Award in 2000 for “Dirty Blonde”.

The play takes place in Julia Budder’s (Katie Finneran) townhouse.

Gus P. Head (Micah Stock) brings coats to the upstairs master bedroom. This is first day in New York. He is a wannabe actor.

There is a party going on downstairs for the opening of a new play Julia is producing. They are waiting for the reviews.

James Wicker (Martin Short) comes into the bedroom. He is a friend of the playwright. Peter Austin (Bob Stillman) offered him the part but James turned him down. James did not tell his friend how bad he thought the play was. He told Peter he thought the lead actress Virginia Noyes (Stockhard Channing) could not act.

She come’s in leaning on a cane. Virginia is messed up including snorting coke in front of everyone.

The director Frank Finger (Maulik Pancholy) hopes he has a flop. He is from Great Britain. Frank complains he has so many great reviews that he needs a bad one. Frank has a problem of lifting things he sees.

Julia comes in making famous quotes. But she screw’s them up.

Peter comes in hoping that he has a hit. He receives a phone call saying that the New York Times gave them a good review.

One of the critic’s that shows up is Ira Drew (F. Murray Abrams). Later we find out the script that was delivered to Julia was written by Ira. He wants her to produce it.

Everyone is on pins and needles for the reviews. The Schubert’s call askingif they can have the Ethel Barrymore Theatre back.

The tension builds!

Well I’m not telling you what happens or about the characters. Find out yourself.

The play has been update using current actors, actresses and other people's names in the industry.

In one case a play Jack had been in, the review said Harvey Fierstein was more of a man in the role then he was. His reply was why Harvey Fierstein and not Nathan Kane.

This is a delightfully funny play. Drama is my favorite but this comedy made me laugh. Don’t miss out on a great show.

Matthew Broderick was out sick. Bob Stillman did a great job in his role. The rest of the cast did a stellar job.

If you’re expecting to get an autograph don’t. They set up the barricade around the stage door making you think that the cast is coming out that way but instead they go out another exit.

But don’t let that from keeping you from seeing this show “It’s on a autograph”!

Review by Rozanna Radakovich.