It's Only A Play on Broadway: Show Is Now Closed

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It's Only A Play Summary

  • Show Status: Closed
  • Genre: Play - Revival
  • It's Only A Play is 2.5 Hours long, including an intermission of 15 Minutes
  • 8 Shows per week
  • Previews Began: August 28, 2014
  • Show Opened : October 9, 2014
  • Show Closed: June 7, 2015

A play about the theatre, It’s Only a Play is the story of a playwright named Peter Austin (Matthew Broderick) whose new piece “The Golden Egg” receives less than positive reviews. His sarcastic friend James Wicker (Nathan Lane) is now a successful TV actor who has turned down the lead in Austin’s play, and is secretly pleased about the negative reception.

What's It's Only A Play Like?

McNally has rewritten the play to meet modern day standards and incorporate relevant 21st matter. The main elements of the play remain the same, as the story centers around a playwright who anxiously awaits the opening of his own show. It’s Only A Play pokes fun of itself as it essentially parodies the Broadway culture. The ensemble of ridiculous characters also includes the female lead who is on drugs, a theatre critic who wishes he were a playwright, and the wealthy first-time Broadway producer. Taking place at an opening night party, this show gives Broadway audiences an inside look into the behind the scenes story of a fictional play. This revival of Terrence McNally’s It’s Only a Play is sure to be an extremely entertaining evening of theatre.

Is It's Only A Play Good for Kids?

Due to adult themes, this show may be inappropriate for children under the age of 12. Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.

It's Only A Play on Broadway Background

The nervous playwright is on pins and needles in anticipation of the looming review written from a notable Broadway critic. The aforementioned critic’s notorious negativity stems from his own inability to make it on Broadway as a writer. The innuendos and self-deprecating humor found in It’s Only a Play run rampant and are sure to provide entertainment while poking fun of the industry in a clever and humorous manner. This production stars Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane, reuniting the lead duo from The Producers. As if that weren’t enough, the starry cast also includes F. Murray Abraham, Rupert Grint (Ron from Harry Potter), Stockard Channing, and Megan Mullally. The play ran Off-Off Broadway in 1982 and Off-Broadway in 1986; this will be its Broadway debut. Four-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally is the beloved and extremely prolific playwright behind such hits as Master Class, Love! Valour! Compassion!, Ragtime, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and last season’s Tony-nominated Mothers and Sons.

Theatre Information

Bernard B Jacobs Theatre

242 West 45th Street
New York, NY 10019
Seats: 1,024
Entrance: 45th Street, between 8th and Broadway
Theatre Information

Bernard B Jacobs Theatre Seating Chart

It's Only A Play Marquee

It's Only A Play Marquee

Cast Members

Ira Dre
F Murray Abraham
Peter Austin
Matthew Broderick
Virginia Noyes
Stockard Channing
James Wicker
Martin Short
Julia Budder
Megan Mullally
Gus P Head
Micah Stock
Frank Finger
T. R. Knight

Producers

Roy Furman

Ken Davenport

Tom Kirdahy

Production Credits

Director
Jack O'Brien
Author
Terrence McNally

Creative Team

General Manager
Richards Climan Inc
Technical Supervisor
Hudson Theatrical Associates
Casting Director
David Caparelliotis at Caparelliotis Casting
Advertising Representative
AKA NYC
Press Agent
O&M Co