More to Love, the new play by and starring comic Rob Bartlett, which began performances at Broadway's Eugene O'Neill Theatre Oct. 1, will open on Oct. 15. Joyce Van Patten, who plays Bartlett's agent, also stars.
Theatre veteran Van Patten most recently appeared on the New York stage in A.R. Gurney's Labor Day at Manhattan Theatre Club. Broadway credits include Show Boat, Jake's Women and Brighton Beach Memoirs.
Also in the cast is Dana Reeve (OB's Good Will), who will play Bartlett's wife. Reeve has been seen in Good Will at the Director's Company, Patronage at Ensemble Studio Theatre and Prince and the Pauper at Manhattan Theatre Club.
The show, which previously bore the working title The 'F' Word and then the title Have Nice Life, will officially opens Oct. 15.
In addition to being a stand-up comic, Bartlett is a writer and performer on the popular radio program "Imus in the Morning." He starred in the PBS special "Rob Bartlett's Not-for-Profit TV Special," which won two Emmy awards. The play takes place in a garage on Long Island, where an overweight comedian (Bartlett) on the verge of 40, starts cleaning out his garage in preparation for a move to L.A. The chore soon turns cathartic, with the comic coming to terms with his life and riffing on various aspects of contemporary culture. Jack O'Brien (The Little Foxes) will direct.
In recent years, Broadway has become a haven for comedians and their talents. Jerry Seinfeld just played a short, sold-out run at the Broadhurst and Sandra Bernhard is due at the Booth this October. The forerunners in this trend are Jackie Mason, who has brought several one-man shows to Broadway over the past decade, and Rob Becker, whose Defending the Caveman played a total of 571 performances at the Helen Hayes.
David Gallo (Jackie) will provide the scenery for the Bartlett show. Ann Hould-Ward is the costume designer, and Michael Lincoln will design the lighting. The production is produced by Maxwell, Jim Russek and Mark Balsam.
Tickets can be ordered by calling (212) 239-6200.
