THE LAST SMOKER IN AMERICA Reviews

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 8/2/12 at 2:16am

Today is Thursday, August 2, marking the official opening performance of The Last Smoker in America, which is billed as a "raucous, irreverent, and unfiltered new Off-Broadway musical," in its New York premiere following previews that began July 11 upstairs at the Westside Theatre. The musical features book and lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Peter Melnick. Andy Sandberg directs the production with choreography by AC Ciulla.

The four-member cast comprises Drama Desk nominee 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.

"In a world where smoking has recently been outlawed and the penalties are growing stricter by the minute, Pam is having an impossible time trying to quit," according to Smoker notes. "Her husband Ernie dreams of being a rock star and relentlessly practices his guitar in the basement, while their videogame-addicted son Jimmy listens to so much rap music he thinks he's black. As if Pam isn't pushed to the edge of reason already, her nosy, anti-smoking zealot neighbor Phyllis is on a mission to catch transgressors mid-puff. Will Pam kick the habit or fight for her right to light up?"

Updated On: 8/2/12 at 02:16 AM