Show Finder
It's Only a Play
First Preview: Aug 20, 2014
Opening Date: Aug 20, 2014
Closing Date: Jun 7, 2015
Running Time: 02:25
Playing @
Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
242 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
It’s opening night of Peter Austin’s (Matthew Broderick) new play as he anxiously awaits to see if his show is a hit. With his career on the line, he shares his big First Night with his “best” friend, a television star (Nathan Lane), his novice producer (Katie Finneran), his doped-up diva (Stockard Channing), his genius director (Maulik Pancholy), a lethal drama critic (F. Murray Abraham), and a fresh-off-the-bus coat check attendant (Micah Stock) on his first night in Manhattan.
Written by four-time Tony winner Terrence McNally and directed by three-time Tony winner Jack O’Brien—a celebration of theatre at its best...and theatre people behaving their not-so-best.
It's alternately raucous, ridiculous and tender — reminding audiences why there's no business like show business. Thank God!
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
TUESDAY & THURSDAY @ 7 PM
WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY @ 8 PM
WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY @ 2 PM
SUNDAY @ 3 PM
Written by four-time Tony winner Terrence McNally and directed by three-time Tony winner Jack O’Brien—a celebration of theatre at its best...and theatre people behaving their not-so-best.
It's alternately raucous, ridiculous and tender — reminding audiences why there's no business like show business. Thank God!
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
TUESDAY & THURSDAY @ 7 PM
WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY @ 8 PM
WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY @ 2 PM
SUNDAY @ 3 PM
Show Notes: 1 Intermission
Age Guidance: 16
Audience Advisory: Show moves to Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on 1/23/15.
No performances 1/20 - 1/22
Contains Adult Language
TDF Tickets Offers:
TDF Member tickets:
Not currently available for this show
Listed at 
Never
Full-price tickets:
$72.00 - $152.00
Lottery & Rush
A limited number of $37 student rush tickets during preview performances through October 8. One ticket per customer can be purchased with a valid student ID at the box office on the same day of the performance
Video
Reviews
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Some people might call "It's Only A Play" a valentine to the theater, but you mustn't believe them.Terrance McNally's play is not so much a love letter from a shy, smitten admirer as a mash note sent by a stalker who's written it in capital letters and smeared it with what may be bodily fluids.Whatever it is, it's a pure hoot, a rollicking comedy with perfect casting and deft direction in Jack O'Brien that gleefully dissects modern Broadway and doesn't pretend to mask its targets by using fake names.
-----Associated Press -
There are 26 credited producers on the Broadway production of Terrence McNally's theater-biz satire It's Only a Play, and presumably nobody will be laughing harder than those guys at the zingers about the phalanx of moneymen who now regularly mob the Radio City stage when winners are announced on Tony Awards night. The in-jokes come thick and fast in this extensively retooled revival, which has been raking in huge grosses through previews thanks to its deluxe cast.
----Hollywood Reporter -
Nobody does mean-nasty-vicious like Terrence McNally, bless his black heart. The pitiless playwright has exhumed “It’s Only a Play,” his 1986 love-hate letter to those big babies who work and play on Broadway, and updated it for today — and for the timely if schmaltzy reunion of Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. The comedy’s slight plot, about the high drama (and low comedy) of the opening night of a new Broadway show, is still a trifle. But the well-aimed and highly personal zingers are more malicious, and delicious, this time out.
---Variety -
Some people might call "It's Only A Play" a valentine to the theater, but you mustn't believe them.Terrance McNally's play is not so much a love letter from a shy, smitten admirer as a mash note sent by a stalker who's written it in capital letters and smeared it with what may be bodily fluids.Whatever it is, it's a pure hoot, a rollicking comedy with perfect casting and deft direction in Jack O'Brien that gleefully dissects modern Broadway and doesn't pretend to mask its targets by using fake names.
-----Associated Press
Accessibility
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Box Office
The box office is in the lobby which is street level. The counter is wheelchair accessible. -
Restroom
Restroom: Wheelchair accessible (unisex) restroom located on the Orchestra level. Additional restrooms (not wheelchair accessible) are also located down 1 flight of stairs. -
Seating
Orchestra section: The seating is accessible to all parts of the Orchestra without steps. There are no steps to the designated wheelchair seating locations.Mezzanine sectionLocated on the 2nd level, up 3 short flights of stairs (29 steps). Once on the Mezzanine or Balcony level, there are approximately 2 steps per row. -
Elevator\Escalator
There are no elevators or escalators at this theatre. -
Telephone
Pay Phone located in the ticket lobby. Accessible at 54". -
Folding Armrests
Sixteen (16) seats with folding armrests. Ask box office for mobility seats for these locations. -
Water Fountain
Located in the restrooms. -
Assisted Listening System
Reservations are not necessary. Drivers license or ID with printed address required as a deposit. Please call: (212) 582-7678 to reserve in advance. Copper Induction Loop also available. -
Wheelchair Info
Wheelchair seating available. Theatre is not completely wheelchair accessible. There are no steps to the designated wheelchair seating location.









