The Last Smoker in America to close 1 Sep 2012

The New York premier of the musical comedy The Last Smoker in America, with book and lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Peter Melnick, has posted early closing notices and will play its final performance on 1 Sep 2012. The musical opened at the Westside Theatre Upstairs on 2 Aug 2012, following previews from 11 Jul 2012, and had been selling tickets through to 30 Sep 2012.

Director/Producer Andy Sandberg had this to say about the end of the engagement, "I am incredibly proud of the production and all of the extraordinarily talented artists who have given their time and talent to this show. We are tremendously grateful to the audiences who have supported this show throughout its run and shared their enthusiasm and laughter with us. We remain excited for the future life of The Last Smoker in America as we continue on with our journey."

The Last Smoker in America is an irreverent four-character musical comedy about a dysfunctional family struggling to survive in a world where smoking has recently been outlawed.

Pam is having an impossible time trying to quit. Her husband Ernie dreams of being a rock star and relentlessly practices his electric guitar in the basement. Their teenage son Jimmy listens to so much rap music he's convinced he's black. Their nosy, anti-smoking zealot neighbor Phyllis lurks around trying to catch transgressors mid-puff. Will Pam kick the habit or fight for the right to light up as The Last Smoker in America.

Directed by Andy Sandberg and choreographed by AC Ciulla, the show stars Farah Alvin (The Marvelous Wonderettes) as 'Pam,' Natalie Venetia Belcon (Avenue Q) as 'Phyllis,' John Bolton ('A Christmas Story,' "Gossip Girl") as 'Ernie' and Jake Boyd (MCC's Carrie) as 'Jimmy.'

The creative team includes set design by Charles Corcoran, costumes by Michael McDonald, lighting by Jeff Croiter & Grant Yeager and sound by Bart Fasbender.

The musical received a developmental workshop production at the New York Musical Theatre Festival in the fall of 2009. In the fall of 2010, The Last Smoker in America received its world premiere at CATCO (Columbus, Ohio).

The producers for the New York run of The Last Smoker in America include Andy Sandberg, Whitney Hoagland Edwards, Michael Palitz, and Stephanie Rosenberg.