Heaven Can't Wait: Polly Draper-Penned Drama Opens Off-Broadway July 2
By Robert Simonson
02 Jul 2003
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Polly Draper (L) and Gretchen Egolf in Getting Into Heaven.
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| photo by Peter Jacobsen | Polly Draper, the former "thirtysomething" actress who has been a steady presence on New York stages in recent years, will make her Gotham debut as a playwright July 2, when Getting Into Heaven officially opens at Off Broadway Flea Theatre. Previews began June 11.
Draper also stars in this tale of Cat Venita, a bad girl of rock and roll whose career and personal life have as many twists as there are tracks and tattoos on her arms. As she tries desperately to shape the many strands of her hectic existence into something resembling a happy, normal life, matters spiral out of control.
Also in the cast is stage veteran Barbara eda-Young (A Streetcar Named Desire and Death of a Salesman on Broadway) as Crystal as an ex-hippie who develops a connection with a phantom caller; Gretchen Egolf as Cat's drummer and love interest Rose; James Badge Dale as a hapless DJ in love with Rose; and Cooper Pillot as the young boy who was sired by Rose and the DJ, but raised by Rose and Cat. The story jumps back and forth in history, with some scenes even taking place in the title locale. The piece is directed by Claire Lundberg. Michael Wolff, the one time band leader of "The Arsenio Hall Show" who is husband to Draper, provides original music.
Draper has appeared Off-Broadway in the premieres of Four Dogs and a Bone by John Patrick Shanley, Blur by Melanie Marnich and Trudy Blue by Marsha Norman, and Crazy He Calls Me and Closer on Broadway. Most recently, she has put in stints in The Guys (also at the Flea) and The Exonerated.
The actress has taken up the pen before. She scripted the 1998 film "The Tic Code," in which she starred. The movie was about a jazz musician who has Tourette's syndrome and is based somewhat of Wolff's own story.
All tickets after opening are $25. Call (212) 352-3101.
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