Actor Stephen Wallem (Nurse Jackie) discusses playing the lead in the world premiere of Simpsons producer Mike Reiss’ new musical at Ivoryton Playhouse.
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“Nurse Jackie’s” Stephen Wallem
To lead cast in new play by Mike Reiss
I HATE MUSICALS: THE MUSICAL
at the Ivoryton Playhouse
New York/Ivoryton – Simpsons’ television writer and producer Mike Reiss is back in Ivoryton with his hilarious world premiere of I HATE MUSICALS: THE MUSICAL! 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 and Satan, will he learn to be less cranky?
Previews begin September 27th – the play opens on September 29th and runs through October 15th.
Stephen Wallem*, a SAG Award-nominated actor best known as Thor Lundgren for seven seasons on the Emmy-winning Showtime series “Nurse Jackie”, will lead the cast as Alvin, the comedy writer. Stephen worked as a stage actor and After Dark Award-winning cabaret singer in Chicago before moving to New York to make his television debut on “Nurse Jackie.” Other television appearances include Randall on Louis CK’s surprise limited series “Horace and Pete” and Chad on “Difficult People.”
I HATE MUSICALS: THE MUSICAL features new music composed by Walter Murphy, composer of the 70’s classic A Fifth of Beethoven (which was included in the soundtrack of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!)The play is one man’s zany ride through relationships with mothers and fathers, analysts and wives and with a host of surprising characters making unexpected appearances. Ultimately, the story is a traditional one about life, love, show business, and the importance of being kind.
Reiss, who is writer and producer for the long running TV show, The Simpsons, also created the animated series The Critic; the webtoon Queer Duck and worked on the screenplays for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs; Horton Hears a Who!; The Simpsons: The Movies; and, My Life In Ruins. Ivoryton audiences turned out in droves in the June 2013 for his hilarious play, I’M CONNECTICUT, which was a huge popular and critical success and COMEDY IS HARD in September of 2014 with Micky Dolenz and Joyce DeWitt.
I HATE MUSICALS: THE MUSICAL opens at the Ivoryton Playhouse on September 27 and runs through October 15, 2017. Directed by James Valletti, the cast includes Playhouse favorite R. Bruce Connelly*, and Will Clark, Sam Given*, Amanda Huxtable*, Ryan Knowles*. The set design is by Dan Nischan, lighting by Marcus Abbott and costumes by Elizabeth Cipollina.
Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm.
Tickets are $50 for adults, $45 for seniors, $22 for students and $17 for children and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton
*denotes member of Actors Equity
Members of the press are welcome after September 28th. Please call ahead for tickets.
