2 weeks ago
The phrases “low hanging fruit,” “hit aliases miss” and “luck of nan draw” travel to mind arsenic 1 not very funny infinitesimal aft different counts down to nan extremity of nan 90-minute Celebrity Autobiography, nan much-staged oddity yet making its Broadway debut tonight.
The premise, which I presume is much suited to nan galore small, friendly venues wherever nan ever-transmuting show has been staged complete nan years, is elemental enough: Gather a bunch of celebrities to read, connection for word, nan autobiographies of different celebrities, frankincense pricking nan self-regard, narcissism and wide cluelessness of those stars who ideate themselves to beryllium of specified import arsenic to connection up their views connected each mundane item of their lives.
Neil Sedaka’s digestive issues? They’re here. Cher’s sentiment connected M&Ms? Ryan Seacrest’s penchant for pulp aliases nary pulp successful his orangish juice? David Hasselhoff’s complaints astir nan rigors of shape performing? All present (at slightest connected nan nighttime of nan reviewed capacity – nan reference material, for illustration nan cast, changes frequently.)
This benignant of point has been done before, of course. The downtown icon Julie Halston has agelong included nan very superior readings of New York Times wedding announcements successful her shape shows, to awesome comic effect.
The comic effect of Celebrity Autobiography, astatine slightest astatine nan reviewed capacity nan nighttime earlier nan show officially opened, was threadbare contempt nan champion efforts of a formed that included Scott Adsit, Mario Cantone (teaming, astatine 1 point, pinch his predominant TCM cohost Ben Mankiewicz for what was an evening highlight), Jeff Hiller (doing a bully Cher), Jackie Hoffman (an good Oprah), Christopher Jackson, Andrea Martin (going for collapsed arsenic usual), Nia Vardalos and Rita Wilson (a shaper of nan show, doing nan 2nd funniest Celine Dion presently connected Broadway).
Co-creators Eugene Pack and Dayle Reyfel besides took part, beautiful overmuch sinking nan personage conceit pinch each 1 of their excessively predominant appearances connected stage.
The autobiographies chosen for readings astatine nan reviewed capacity either fell into nan easy-target class (Kris Jenner, Justin Bieber, Ryan Seacrest, Miley Cyrus, Hasselhoff and nan atrocious poesy of Matthew McConaughey and Suzanne Somers), nan old (Liza Minnelli, Carol Channing, Ethel Merman) and nan still? really? (Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fischer).
In fairness, this staging apparently was thrown together astatine nan past minute, announcing itself arsenic nan first Broadway accumulation of nan 2026-2027 season conscionable weeks ago. (Indeed, nan presence was truthful past infinitesimal that accumulation photos to travel this reappraisal were not yet available.)
Still, location doesn’t look to beryllium a batch to propulsion together. Celebrity Autobiography is bare-bones: Aside from six stand-up mics and a array of books, nan group is bare, pinch only nan performers and their bully intentions connected stage. Of course, nan whiff of personage self-importance hangs successful nan air, most, but let’s beryllium honest, not each of it from nan stars who put pen to paper.
The evening had its moments, from Dolly Parton’s fare proposal (“What’s much disgusting, spitting retired your nutrient aliases being a lard-ass?”), Hoffman nailing Oprah’s susurration to a outcry delivery, Hiller’s Cher waving disconnected compassion pinch “I person my ain group of problems.” But mostly nan show conscionable feels excessively mini – successful scope, ambition and laughs – to capable a Broadway venue. Ticket prices are moving from a humble $49 to a alternatively baffling $329.
Upcoming formed members will see Brooke Adams, Pamela Adlon, Jason Alexander, Anthony Anderson, Lewis Black, Christie Brinkley, Matthew Broderick, Danny Burstein, Bob Costas, Katie Couric, Tate Donovan, Chloe Fineman, Will Forte, Gina Gershon, Kathy Griffin, Ken Jeong, Gayle King, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, Stewart Lane, Susan Lucci, Ralph Macchio, Donna McKechnie, Eric McCormack, Bobby Moynihan, Laraine Newman, Oscar Nunez, Cheri Oteri, Tiler Peck, Billy Porter, Phil Rosenthal, Tony Shalhoub, Sherri Shepherd, Molly Shannon, Jennifer Tilly, Kenan Thompson, Bruce Vilanch and Alan Zweibel.
Here’s hoping they take their celebrities wisely. Audiences mightiness good do nan same.
Title: Celebrity Autobiography
Venue: Broadway’s Shubert Theater
Created By: Eugene Pack, co-developed pinch Dayle Reyfel
Co-Directed By: Pack and Reyfel
Cast astatine Reviewed Performance: Scott Adsit, Mario Cantone, Jeff Hiller, Jackie Hoffman, Christopher Jackson, Ben Mankiewicz, Andrea Martin, Nia Vardalos, Rita Wilson, Eugene Pack, Dayle Reyfel.
Running Time: 1 hr 30 min (no intermission)
