CALL ME IZZY Previews

Jean Smart has got the write stuff.

The “Hacks” Emmy winner kicks off the 2025-26 Broadway season, returning to the Main Stem with her one-person show Call Me Izzy, starting previews tomorrow (May 24) at Studio 54. The $5.4 million dark comedy is written by CBS News correspondent Jamie Wax; Sarna Lapine directs. Call Me Izzy opens on June 12 for a limited run through August 17.

“Jean Smart returns to Broadway for 12 weeks only in a tour-de-force portrayal of a writer whose words are her greatest gift, her biggest secret, and her only way out. Written by Jamie Wax and directed by Sarna Lapine, Call Me Izzy is a can’t-miss theatrical event and a moving portrait of one woman’s refusal to be silenced through her own sheer tenacity, humor, and fiery imagination.”

Who’s going?

There was no way I was going to miss this, but last night’s episode of Hacks made this essential viewing.

EDSOSLO858 said: "Johanna Day just announced as Smart's standby."

I hope she gets a chance to go on.

How is a one person play costing 5.4 million dollars? for reference Guttenberg which was a two person musical with a three piece band and two stars only cost 6.75 million.

I’m always amused when people base production costs on the size of the cast and what they see on stage completely ignoring there are more people working backstage than on stage. Also, production costs include marketing plus other factors. I’m quite sure Jean Smart negotiated a nice salary as well as she’s now a 6 time Emmy Award winner and stars in an acclaimed HBO MAX series HACKS so that alone I’m sure is taking up a large part of the show’s investment.

ScottK said: "Please note that the "official" capitalization is $4.9 (and a big portion of the budget is advg, and recoverable bonds)"

What recoupable bonds are you referring to? There are 2 AEA actors (plus stage managers), no musicians, and I'd assume a minimal run crew.

Fordham2015 said: "Merch is pretty clever, with lots of Smart puns

https://www.broadwaymerchandiseshop.com/collections/call-me-izzy"



It never occurred to me that the title was a reference to Moby Dick (at least the coffee cup alludes to it).

A few quick thoughts on tonight’s performance:

This was nowhere near 85 minutes—tonight’s show ran closer to 2 hours, including a small technical mishap at the beginning (about 3–5 minutes). I’m sure they’ll eventually tighten it up and turn it into a solid 90-minute play.

Jean was terrific in a somewhat predictable storyline about an abusive husband (plenty of Waitress flashbacks). That said, the set was a major disappointment. The play is mostly set in a trailer park, but instead of an actual trailer, we get a chair and a bathroom stall for about 80% of the show. The set was so underwhelming and sparse that it was often confusing to tell where scenes were supposed to be taking place.

That said, Jean is truly exceptional, and I’d recommend seeing this purely as a masterclass in acting. The ending is also strong, and with some tightening to bring it closer to the advertised 85 minutes, this could really become something special.

I do love me a good production of Shirley Valentine and there are so many women who would do great in that role.

Just got out.
The play started at 2:05 and ended about 3:50.
Honestly, the show itself is just meant to be a vehicle for Smart, but the bar for one person shows has been so high in recent years (with Dorian Gray and Vanya coming to mind) that this might have as well just been “Jean Smart Acts Out A Lifetime Movie”.

The plot is thin and, more or less, is about how she got in and out of writing poetry during turbulent periods of her life, including an abusive marriage - she plays Izzy and all of the others in her life. It takes a twist when a very personal poem is published and she gains unwanted attention from it. Sarna Lapine did a brief speech pre-show about how it’s the second preview so things may happen or may need to be adjusted. Additionally, although the set is sparse (with some bathroom and patio fixtures and sliding curtains like the ones Maybe Happy Ending has), Studio 54 is WAYYYY too big for this. It would be right at home at the Lortel or the Audible Minetta Lane

I feel bad for saying this because this is Jean Smart’s grand return to the stage, but this needed more time in the cooker and a smaller venue and, on first viewing, makes me question if Smart is going to end up doing more heavy lifting of the script than she needs to and if it’s worth going just for her.

Updated On: 5/25/25 at 06:50 PM

rburton66 said: "quizking101 said:
this might have as well just been “Jean Smart Acts Out A Lifetime Movie”.


Totally get why this would be a detractor for many, but it has me completely sold on seeing it. I love her TV movie A Change of Heartwhere she finds out her husband’s gay."

I don’t mind the genre, but I think both Smart and Broadway both deserved better especially since, as I mentioned, the one-person show has had the bar raised A LOT lately.

This will be a great piece for regional theatres for actresses of a certain age though

Updated On: 5/26/25 at 11:02 AM

For those who’ve seen, does this seem like something better left for the end of the run? I’m seeing this without question, but suddenly glad I didn’t get access to the 100 first two week tickets.