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
It's Only a Play

Share on Social Media

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
BroadwayPlay - Comedy
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

  • 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

  • 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.

TDF Social Feed

TDF
TDF23 hours ago
Celebrations of love and queerness at 54 Below, intense dramas from Irish Repertory Theatre and Mint Theater Company, plus more for you to stream this weekend.
TDF
TDF2 days ago

Behind every great production are great designers. On April 13, we'll raise a glass to the 2026 Irene Sharaff Award honorees at TDF’s Costumes & Cocktails. Secure your seat—or dedicate...

tdfnyc2 days ago
Behind every great production are great designers. On April 13, we’ll raise a glass to the 2026 Irene Sharaff Award honorees at TDF’s Costumes & Cocktails. Secure your seat—or dedicate...
tdfnyc3 days ago
TDF got a sneak peek at the upcoming Broadway musical Beaches: A New Musical about two lifelong BFFs. Just in time for Galentine’s Day, watch stars Jessica Vosk and Kelli...
TDF
TDF3 days ago
We’ve rounded up five performances you can stream from the comfort of home this holiday weekend—free or at a low cost!
tdfnyc3 days ago
We’ve rounded up five performances you can stream from the comfort of home this holiday weekend—free or at a low cost. Check the link in our bio to start watching!...
TDF
TDF4 days ago
We had an amazing time at the TDF Autism Friendly Performance of Just In Time! Thank you all for joining us!
TDF
TDF7 days ago

A sci-fi musical with shadow play at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, a sea creature's origin story at The Bushwick Starr, I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical, David...

TDF
TDF1 week ago

TDF Members can TKTS like a VIP from Monday, February 9 to Sunday, February 22! For the next two weeks, just present your TDF Digital Membership Card to one of...

tdfnyc1 week ago
TDF Members can TKTS like a VIP from Monday, February 9 to Sunday, February 22! For the next two weeks, just present your TDF Digital Membership Card to one of...
tdfnyc1 week ago
When’s the last time you journeyed Off-Off Broadway? Tap the link in bio for our promising picks this month that include eye-popping puppets, a sci-fi shadow play, a Steven Spielberg...
tdfnyc1 week ago
2020 was shaping up to be the year of the Asian American playwright in New York City. Then COVID-19 hit and all the productions shut down. After six painfully turbulent...