The comedian Alex Edelman starts delivering the punchlines tomorrow (June 22) at the Hudson Theatre, where his one-man show Just for Us begins a quick preview period. This summer engagement officially opens on June 26 and is currently set to conclude on August 19. Just for Us is written by Edelman and directed by the late Adam Brace, who passed in late April.
“In the wake of a string of anti-Semitic threats pointed in his direction online, standup comic Edelman decides to go straight to the source; specifically, Queens, where he covertly attends a meeting of White Nationalists and comes face-to-face with the people behind the keyboards. What happens next forms the backbone of the shockingly relevant, utterly hilarious, and only moderately perspirant stories that comprise Just for Us.”
It's a limited run that probably has the lowest capitalization of any show post-pandemic. No development, no casting, no set, just the typical costs (rental, tech, advertising, etc.) and a single stool.
It also has great word of mouth among the UWS/UES Jewish crowd. The biggest issue it'll actually face is that a lot of those people have seen it already.
It has a very small set done by David Korins, there's some photos on their insta story. Looks like they made a small proscenium for the back of the stage with a black backdrop and then back stage wall is exposed behind the small proscenium.
bholtzinger544 said: "It has a very small set done by David Korins, there's some photos on their insta story. Looks like they made a small proscenium for the back of the stage with a black backdrop and then back stage wall is exposed behind the small proscenium."
I wonder which set was more difficult for Korins, this one or Here Lies Love?
JasonC3 said: "I thought is was an OK (B/B+) show in London, but yes, his constant frantic pacing around the stage was a major distraction."
the pacing is just him. its how he is always.
i saw this in london, and thought it was moving and disturbing, though not particularly hilarious. still its gotten great reviews and has sold well Off Bway, in DC, in Boston, in London....
I mean if Birbiglia has problems selling, but from what I heard this has a like 2 million cap so even if it only plays to 50% every week it should do fine, if anything is just makes the eventual sale of the special to Netflix or whoever worth more
Comedy shows on Broadway can be major events, but only if the performer has a large enough profile and there is demand/scarcity - Think Robin Williams in 2002, or Oh, Hello in 2016/17 (extended by demand multiple times).
While I'm sure this is probably a precusor to a Netflix filming or something of the like, it just has a very "fill the theatre because Chastain isn't extending" energy.
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BoringBoredBoard40 said: "I mean if Birbiglia has problems selling, but from what I heard this has a like 2 million cap so even if it only plays to 50% every week it should do fine, if anything is just makes the eventual sale of the special to Netflix or whoever worth more"
I think Mike sold pretty darn well. It’s just a giant theater. No one expected him to sell out the Beaumont every night.
I saw the show tonight and found it very funny! I haven’t laughed that much in a while. Yeah it has a very specific audience, he basically says it’s aimed towards UWS Jews, so I don’t know how it would play to those who aren’t familiar with all his references. But I thought it was great!