The Unknown - Off Broadway

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/17/25 at 3:35pm

I know this was discussed in a general Seaview thread, but I thought I would start a new thread now that it's officially announced. Sounds interesting. Previews start on January 31st and tickets range from $69 - $249.

"Sean Hayes of Good Night, Oscar stars as Elliott in The Unknown. A gripping new play about a writer on the edge.

Desperate to cure his writer’s block, Elliott retreats to a remote cabin—only to discover he may not be alone. As the boundaries between his work and his life collapse, Elliott begins to question everything he knows. Is he writing a thriller? Living one? Both?

The Unknown is a provocative thriller by award-winning playwright David Cale and directed by Tony Award nominee Leigh Silverman that explores the fine line between fascination and obsession."

https://studioseaview.com/show/the-unknown/

 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 2/2/26 at 12:40am

Anyone seen this yet?

[sppunk]

Posted: 2/2/26 at 12:41pm

A friend saw it on its 2nd performance and said it was very well done and Hayes is remarkable playing 10 different characters. 
 

We see it next month, I’m pretty excited (minus the actual theater, which I loathe). 

[Kad]

Posted: 2/2/26 at 2:34pm

sppunk said: "A friend saw it on its 2nd performance and said it was very well done and Hayes is remarkable playing 10 different characters.

We see it next month, I’m pretty excited (minus the actual theater, which I loathe)."

Yeah, it's kind of telling that when Seaview took over, they redid the bar and created a VIP lounge but left the actual theater with its dingy seats untouched. 

Updated On: 2/2/26 at 02:34 PM

[Merkin2]

Posted: 2/2/26 at 2:56pm

Yea because like I said, Greg nobile is more of a restaurateur than a (good) theater producer.  Hes got bars all over midtown 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 2/2/26 at 3:34pm

Kad said: "sppunk said: "A friend saw it on its 2nd performance and said it was very well done and Hayes is remarkable playing 10 different characters.

We see it next month, I’m pretty excited (minus the actual theater, which I loathe)."

Yeah, it's kind of telling that when Seaview took over, they redid the bar and created a VIP lounge but left the actual theater with its dingy seats untouched."

because they don't technically own the theater and it is likely getting knocked down in the next 3-4 years

[MezzA101]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 6:11am

Can a Solo Show Be Frightening? Sean Hayes Is Up for the Challenge.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/theater/sean-hayes-david-cale-unknown.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JVA.W5Kr.Nr8qTJ0tA3QN&smid=nytcore-android-share

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 9:01am

Not particularly unusual for the later stages in an actor's career, but I appreciate that Hayes is taking on interesting and less predictable material in a variety of locales.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 2/6/26 at 12:40am

MERCH

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 2/10/26 at 12:00am

any stagedoor reports?

[binau]

Posted: 2/13/26 at 1:59am

Any more thoughts from posters?

[MezzA101]

Posted: 2/13/26 at 5:57am

‘The Unknown’ Review: Sean Hayes Turns One Man Into a Mystery

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/theater/the-unknown-review-sean-hayes.html?unlocked_article_code=1.L1A.-a8V.uH5Xzm_JVRza&smid=nytcore-android-share

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/13/26 at 8:26am

binau said: "Any more thoughts from posters?"

I liked it! Sean Hayes is giving a marathon performance. Helen Shaw kinda nailed it in the review above. Even at a little over an hour, the “mystery” can get a bit convoluted, but Hayes really sells it. Absolutely worth seeing if you’re a fan of his. 

[1 Minute Critic]

Posted: 2/13/26 at 9:16am

1 Minute Critic - 4 out of 5 stars

A writer in need of creative inspiration. A secluded cabin in the woods with no cell phone service. The thriller trope nearly writes itself in David Cale’s new solo play. 

At a brisk 75 minutes, Hayes remains captivating, even if Cale’s play meanders a bit in the brothers’ backstory, and plot points, such as a stolen set of apartment keys, feel lifted from an episode of Law & Order. But no matter. By the time the curtain closes, you won’t be sure who’s been writing the story all along. And that’s precisely the point. Full review here.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 2/13/26 at 11:23am

Positive review from Theatremania

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 1:07pm

Thursday 2pm matinee today cancelled due to "illness in the cast".  

Show tonight is happening ?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 3:00pm

CoffeeBreak said: "Thursday 2pm matineetoday cancelled due to "illness in the cast".

Show tonight is happening?"

"Illness in the cast" for a one-man show is crazy LOL

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 4:07pm

We understand that and hope the best for Mr. Hayes.

The evening show is still slated to be on tonight.  It was a question.

[ER765]

Posted: 2/19/26 at 4:17pm

Pretty sure wickedrocks understands that and was just making a comment. 
 

Have you tried calling studio Seaview…? [phone]