Photo by Joan Marcus
Why do some established TV stars keep coming back to Broadway for more? One might argue that the rigours of an eight-show week and a (presumably) reduced pay cheque might render the appeal of a Broadway engagement less favourable, but if you've been bitten by the theatre bug and relish those instant reactions you get from performing before a live audience, there's just no shaking it! This truly must be the case for Jesse Tyler Ferguson, currently starring as Sam (and countless other characters) in Becky Mode's one-man-comedy Fully Committed - our #ShowOfTheWeek!
Known to most for his five-time Emmy nominated role as Mitchell Pritchett on the "Modern Family" TV series, which has been running since 2009, Ferguson has also become a regular contributor at off-Broadway's Public Theater. Most notably, his 'Shakespeare in the Park' outings have become regular practice, appearing in productions such as 'The Tempest,' 'The Comedy of Errors,' 'The Winter's Tale,' 'The Merchant of Venice,' and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' After previously starring on the Great White Way in 'On The Town' and 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,' he is finally back and he has the luxurious Lyceum Theatre all to himself. And he's giving you an unstoppable 90 minutes of a comedic tour-de-force!
Although theatregoers shouldn't expect any earth-shattering exposition in Becky Mode's writing, they should expect an acting master class, as Ferguson morphs back and forth between the character of Sam - an aspiring actor, who is manning the reservations hotline at an insanely popular and elitist Manhattan restaurant - and the plethora of colleagues and hopeful patrons on the other end of the phone. The pace is so impressive that it is a marvel how on earth Mr Ferguson doesn't stumble and fall flat. Masterfully directed by Jason Moore, he distinguishes each character effortlessly, employing a different voice/accent and physicality for each. He really does proves himself as a man of a thousand voices!
The script too has been updated with a generous helping of popular culture references, which garner ripples of laughter from the audience. Of course I won't spoil these for you now. New Yorkers in the audience seem to be included in the gags perhaps more favourably than visiting tourists, but there are certainly enough jokes that land with a global audience. And there's also a touching thread to the narrative of families coming together in times of loss.
Read our exclusive interview with playwright Becky Mode HERE.
So whether you're an aspiring actor yourself, a veteran of the catering industry or a cynic of the high-end VIP obsession that rules Manhattan, you are bound to connect with something in this fast-paced, entertaining show. I just wish I had a dollar for every time those phones rang on stage!
So, go on - fully commit yourself to an evening at Fully Committed.
Click here for tickets to Fully Committed for performances through to 24 July 2016 at Broadway's Lyceum Theatre.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson in Fully Committed More Production PhotosOriginally published on