The Performers (play)

The Performers
Written byDavid West Read
Date premieredNovember 2012 (2012-11)
Place premieredLongacre Theatre

The Performers is a comedy play written by David West Read and directed by Evan Cabnet. It premiered on Broadway on November 14, 2012.[1]

Premise

The Performers is a romantic comedy set during the Adult Film Awards in Las Vegas. Lee, a tabloid journalist, attends to interview his old friend-turned adult film star Mandrew. Lee's fiancee Sara, who is having doubts over her relationship, seeks advice from Mandrew's wife Peeps. When the night takes an unexpected turn and relationships are threatened, adult film stars Chuck Wood and Sundown step in to lend a hand.[2]

Production

The Performers premiered on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre. Previews began on October 23, 2012 ahead of an official opening night on November 14, 2012. The cast included Cheyenne Jackson, Henry Winkler, Alicia Silverstone, Ari Graynor, Daniel Breaker and Jenni Barber.[3]

After showings were cancelled during previews due to Hurricane Sandy, producers offered "Sandy Special" tickets at discounted prices.[4] However, producers cancelled the play after 24 previews and 6 regular performances, blaming the effects of the hurricane.[5][6]

The show officially closed on November 18, 2012.[5]

Cast and characters

Character Broadway
Mandrew Cheyenne Jackson
Chuck Wood Henry Winkler
Lee Daniel Breaker
Peeps Ari Graynor
Sundown Jenni Barber
Sara Alicia Silverstone

Reception

The San Francisco Chronicle praised the cast, which "keeps the show giggling" [7] with The Hollywood Reporter praising Jackson's and Graynor's performances.[8] However, The New York Times described it as "going to the planet of second-tier sitcoms."[9] and as "less and less funny as the evening wears on" by The New York Post. [10]

References

  1. ^ Cox, Gordon (August 22, 2012). "Alicia Silverstone back to Broadway". Variety. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  2. ^ Gans, Andrew (August 22, 2012). "Alicia Silverstone Will Join Cheyenne Jackson and Henry Winkler in Broadway's The Performers". Archived from the original on 2012-08-25. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  3. ^ "Alicia Silverstone Joins Cast of Porn Comedy The Performers, Starring Cheyenne Jackson and Henry Winkler". August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  4. ^ "The Performers Announces Sandy Special for 10/3 & 11/1". BroadwayWorld.com. October 31, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Vault".
  6. ^ "Broadway comedy 'The Performers' starring Alicia Silverstone goes limp and will close Sunday". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 20, 2012.[dead link‍]
  7. ^ Kennedy, Mark (November 14, 2012). "Review: 'The Performers' is sweet despite the porn". The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  8. ^ Rooney, David (November 14, 2012). "Theatre Review: The Performers". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  9. ^ Brantley, Ben (November 14, 2012). "'The Performers,' With Henry Winkler and Cheyenne Jackson". The New York Times. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  10. ^ Vincentelli, Elisabeth (November 15, 2012). "XXX 'Performers' flaccid". New York Post. Retrieved November 20, 2012.