CALL ME IZZY Reviews- Page 2

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 6/22/25 at 12:15am

i understand Jean Smart wanting to play this part--and play it she does!-- but the script isnt strong enough to fill Studio 54, which feels ENORMOUS for this tiny little show, but especially when its empty. As it was tonight- id be shocked if the theater was more than 50% full; the mezzanine was at least 2/3 empty. 

This belongs in a small off bway space that lets Smart soar. Shes lost here. The play picks up a bit in the last quarter, even as it gets loopier and less believable, and Smart is undeniably charismatic in a role that requires her to talk at us for a solid 90 minutes. 

I couldnt help but compare this to Angry Alan- another celebrity driven one man show (sorta) where the performance itself cant save the story itself. Angry Alan, though, kept me interested plot wise at least. Call My Izzy is a little less cohesive.

Kudos to Jean Smart, though. 

[rburton66]

Posted: 7/1/25 at 9:28pm

I went into this thinking I’d watch Jean Smart read the phone book and left feeling like she had. While I understand and appreciate her passion for the character and the subject matter, the writing is a stratosphere away from her talent level. 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 7/22/25 at 12:09pm

Jean Smart Details Knee Injury, Surgery That Kept Her Offstage for 2 Weeks: 'Went Down Like a Ton of Bricks' (Exclusive)

https://people.com/jean-smart-knee-injury-surgery-return-to-broadway-show-exclusive-11776575

"Smart, 73, says she "went down like a ton of bricks" after tripping while out and about in New York City with her sons on the Fourth of July, noting that despite her love of the Big Apple, "sometimes the streets are a little treacherous," including "potholes and things like that."

The Hacks star's injury, though, was a result of turning quickly to catch a cab — and not noticing one of the "hockey-puck-sized" bases of a barrier on the ground, the latter of which are in place to "keep cars from cutting the corners too close, I think," Smart says."

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 7/22/25 at 9:22pm

Didn't love this but didn't hate it either.

Felt nice to be a part of Smart's first audience back; some very warm entrance applause for her as she took the Studio 54 stage.

Story is dark and somewhat wobbly (with enough comic moments) but she more than sells it. This feels a bit like OHIO STATE MURDERS but if it were just Audra. I could've used a few more actors to add more "show" to all the "tell", or maybe just one more for Ferd. 

The set also provides a distinct echo of MAYBE HAPPY ENDING the way that it minimizes and expands.

 

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What's with that lighting effect at the very end? Is that the bus coming for Izzy, or Ferd? (Does Jamie W leave that up for interpretation?)

I clocked in an even 90 minutes tonight, 7:09 start and 8:39 blackout.

Updated On: 7/22/25 at 09:22 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 7/22/25 at 9:41pm

Also, I spotted Andrew Barth Feldman a row in front of me, but decided to leave him be.

[willep]

Posted: 7/22/25 at 11:32pm

Yeah, the lighting in the final moment caused my partner and I to not completely agree on what was happening there.

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 7/23/25 at 10:00am

Jean's speech at last night's curtain call

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMb2TiYy0Z8/

[trentsketch]

Posted: 7/23/25 at 11:25am

I'm amazed she recovered as fast as she did. My least favorite part of visiting the city is the sidewalks. I go from a sometimes mobility aid user to no choice but to use my cane with the balancing head when visiting. I can't imagine falling from that at her age and being back to work in a couple weeks. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/23/25 at 1:07pm

Fordham2015 said: "Jean's speech at last night's curtain call

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMb2TiYy0Z8/"

Surprised she didn't thank Johanna Day for keeping the show running and stepping in without much rehearsal.

[Menken Fan]

Posted: 7/23/25 at 6:19pm

Saw today’s matinee. Jean was definitely working around continuing knee issues. She spent most of the show seated in one of two locations, with her leg elevated. When she had to move during blackouts, a stagehand assisted her. And in the final scenes, she was on crutches. It actually kind of fit the character. Good for her for pushing through. Great performance!