Audiences and critics have embraced The Two and Only, a special guest production at the Atlantic Theater Company. Previews began May 4 and performances will now play to Aug. 15. The run had previously been announced to July 4.
The Two and Only — starring and created by Jay Johnson of "Soap" fame — officially opened May 13. The staging is produced by the Atlantic and Roger Alan Gindi, Stewart F. Lane & Bonnie Comley, Dan Whitten, Herbert Goldsmith Productions, and WetRock Entertainment.
The show earned rave reviews, helping to prompt the extension. Johnson is the talented ventriloquist who came to wide fame as the addled human-and-dummy act, Chuck and Bob, on TV's "Soap."
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Off-Broadway, Johnson is "returning the ancient craft to its rightful place as an art form," according to the announcement. In The Two and Only, "Jay Johnson hysterically deconstructs and demonstrates his lifelong obsession with ventriloquism. From the Oracle of Delphi to 'The Tonight Show,' ventriloquism has long provided insight as well as entertainment. Through the illusion of ventriloquism and his diverse array of characters, Mr. Johnson takes us on a multi-dimensional journey."
Murphy Cross and Paul Kreppel direct the piece. Designers are Beowulf Boritt (scenery), Clifton Taylor (lighting) and David Gotwald (sound).
Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 PM, with a Saturday matinee at 2 PM, and Sundays at 3 and 7 PM.
Tickets are $50 and are available through www.Telecharge.com .
The Atlantic Theater Company is located at 336 West 20th Street (between Eighth and Ninth Avenues). For membership information or wheelchair seating, call (212) 645-1242, or visit www.atlantictheater.org.