"It's Only a Play," Terrence McNally's 1985 comedy about celebrity and show business, will open a three-week run at the Southampton Cultural Center Friday at 7 p.m., and continue through Nov. 3.
A Boots on the Ground Theater production, directed by Bob Kaplan and produced by Bonnie Grice, "It's Only a Play" unfolds in the luxurious Manhattan home of Julia Budder, a wealthy first-time Broadway producer who is throwing an opening night party for "The Golden Egg."
On hand are Patricia Austin, the playwright, Ira Drew, a critic, Frank Finger, the director, Gus. P. Head, an actor, and various friends and hangers on who nervously wait for the late-night reviews printed in the newspapers. As they wait, they gossip, name-drop celebrities who are in attendance, and chat about their respective theater experiences.
Virginia Noyes, the star of the show, is taking drugs, while James Wicker, an old friend of the playwright and now a successful TV actor who turned down the lead in the play, is relieved and secretly thrilled about the bad reviews that arrive. Not discouraged by those reviews, the assembled parties eagerly make plans for their next play, which they know will be a hit.
"It's Only a Play" was originally produced in 1985 by the Manhattan Theater Club at New York City Center. In his New York Times review, Frank Rich called the play "frequently uproarious" and went on to say, "Only a writer who loves the theater and has survived its bloodiest wars could have written a comedy like this one, in which naughty show-biz in-jokes coexist with genuine tributes to the theatrical calling. Mr. McNally . . . is the ideal playwright for the task."
As a radio host, Ms. Grice interviewed both McNally and his husband, Tom Kirdahy, on her shows. "What Terrence has given us here is an honest and hilarious behind-the-scenes look at Broadway reviews, actors, and their egos, all subjects that Terrence himself lived with for most of his life."
The cast includes Brandon Richard Battiste (Gus P. Head), Matthew O'Connor (James Wicker), Huck Hirsch (Frank Finger), Gillian Schroeder (Julia Budder), Phil Eberhardt (Ira Drew), Eileen Trilli (Patricia Austin), and Ms. Grice (Virginia Noyes).
Performances will take place Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3. Tickets are $35 in advance ($40 at the door), and $25 for students ($30 at the door). Opening night tickets that include a reception with the cast and director are $50.
