The Broadway bow of Becky Mode's Fully Committed, which stars Emmy-nominated Modern Family actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson, last seen on Broadway in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, begins previews April 1 at the Lyceum Theatre.
Directed by Jason Moore, the production will officially open April 25. The limited engagement is scheduled to continue through July 24.
Ferguson plays more than 40 characters, including a harried reservations clerk at an in-demand eatery, a series of guests clamoring for a table and others.
The production has scenic design by Tony and Emmy Award winner Derek McLane (Beautiful, 33 Variations), costume design by Sarah Laux (The Humans), lighting design by Tony Award nominee Ben Stanton (Fun Home) and sound design by Tony Award winner Darron L West. Emmy Award winner Jeff Richmond (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, 30 Rock, SNL) is making his Broadway debut writing original music for the one-man comedy.
Fully Committed originally opened Off-Broadway Sept. 30, 1999, at the Vineyard starring Mark Setlock. The show then moved to the Cherry Lane Theatre running for nearly 700 performances. The play has subsequently been seen in productions around the world, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, London and Paris.
For the show's Broadway debut, Mode, according to press notes, updated the play to reflect "today’s foodie and restaurant culture, which has only intensified since the piece made its debut." Barbara Whitman and Patrick Catullo produce the Broadway run.
"I'm beyond thrilled to be making my return to Broadway in a piece I love so much. Becky Mode’s hilarious play Fully Committed perfectly captures a genius story at the intersection of food, entertainment and pop culture—and I’m really looking forward to start working with Jason on all of these incredibly funny characters," said Ferguson in a previous statement. "It’s also a dream to be reuniting with Patrick and Barbara who helped bring The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee to Broadway. It feels like a homecoming and I know we are all going to have a ball putting this show together!"
"It’s so exciting to be working with Jesse and Becky on Fully Committed," added Moore. "I’ve been searching for my next Broadway project, and this is it—Jesse is a remarkable actor and comedian, and Becky’s script is hysterical."
"You think you’re having a bad day?" press notes ask. "Meet Sam. He works the red‐hot reservation line at one of New York’s trendiest restaurants, where the best food inspires the worst behavior. Coercion, petty threats, bribes, histrionics—a cast of desperate callers, all brought to life by Ferguson, will stop at nothing to land a prime reservation, or the right table in Becky Mode’s hilarious and delicious comedy. Amid the barrage, Sam has his own problems to deal with. While juggling scheming socialites, name‐dropping wannabes, fickle celebrities and egomaniacal bosses, can he still manage to look out for himself?"
Fully Committed is based on characters created by playwright Mode and original star Setlock from their experience working in the world of the high‐end restaurant industry.
Tickets, priced $75-$145, are on sale at FullyCommittedBroadway.com.
