A comedy-rich musical
Writer Mike Reiss is becoming an Ivoryton Playhouse regular, and that is excellent news for fans of comedy.
Reiss is bringing a third show of his to Ivoryton this week, “I Hate Musicals: The Musical.”
Ivoryton first performed Reiss’ plays with the 2013 production of “I’m Connecticut,” followed in 2014 by the premiere of “Comedy is Hard,” starring Micky Dolenz and Joyce DeWitt.
“I Hate Musicals” is likewise having its premiere at the Ivoryton Playhouse. And the piece boasts music composed by Walter Murphy, best known for his 1970s hit “A Fifth of Beethoven.”
Here’s the theater’s description of the show: “It’s the story of a cranky comedy writer trapped in the rubble of an LA earthquake. His life is playing out before his eyes in the form of a musical — and he hates musicals! With numbers sung by everyone from Sigmund Freud to Satan, will he learn to be less cranky?”
Reiss, a Connecticut native who grew up in Bristol, is a writer and producer for “The Simpsons,” and he co-created “The Critic.” He has worked on screenplays for such films as “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” and “The Simpsons Movie” as well.
Oh, and starring in the Ivoryton production is Stephen Wallem, who played Thor Lundgren on “Nurse Jackie” and has appeared on “Horace and Pete” and “Difficult People.” He also teamed up with “Nurse Jackie” star Edie Falco for a 2011 cabaret act titled — I love this — “The Other Steve and Edie.” “I Hate Musicals: The Musical,” Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St., Ivoryton; previews Sept. 27 and 28, show opens Sept. 29 and runs through Oct. 15; 7:30 p.m. Wed. and Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 2 p.m. Wed. and Sun.; (860) 767-7318.