Though playing to virtually sold-out crowds, the gay comedy/drama, My Night With Reg, playing at Off-Broadway's Intar space, will close July 26. Production spokesperson Michael Hartman told Playbill On-Line the problem had to do with schedule conflicts for the performers, who didn't necessarily expect the show to be as popular as it's become. Reg began previews June 3, opened June 12, and was recently extended past its July 19 scheduled close.
My Night With Reg continues the influx of award-winning British plays to New York theatres (Skylight, Stanley, Dealer's Choice). Kevin Elyot's 1995 Olivier Award-winning play is being staged by The New Group, with Jack Hofssis directing. Maxwell Caulfield, seen on Broadway in Stephen Daldry's revival of An Inspector Calls, stars.
Reminiscent of Love! Valour! Compassion!, Elyot's play follows a "family" of six gay men living in London in the age of AIDS. Each tries to cope while juggling sexual, romantic and personal lives. Like Beckett's Godot, Reg is talked about but never appears.
Reg first opened at the Royal Court Theatre's Upstairs space, March 31, 1994 and moved to London's Criterion Theatre Nov. 15, 1994. Elyot won the 1995 London Critics Circle's Most Promising Newcomer Award for the piece, which also took home the 1994 Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy.
Director Hofsiss won Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for directing The Elephant Man. Other NY assignments have included The Shadow Box,, The Sum Of Us, Splendora and Poor Little Lambs. Playwright Elyot is also the author of Coming Clean and the TV film, Killing Time. Joining Caulfield in Reg are Ron Bagden, David Cale (Present Laughter), Edward Hibbert (Jeffrey and TV's "Frasier"), Joseph Siravo (Conversations With My Father), and Sam Trammell (The Rose Tattoo, Dealer's Choice).
Designing Off-Broadway's Night With Reg are Beverly Emmons (lighting), Eric Becker (costumes), Kevin Price (set) and Raymond D. Schilke (sound).
The English production, directed by Roger Michell, featured Anthony Calf, David Bamber, Joe Duttine, Roger Frost, Kenneth MacDonald, and John Sessions, the latter best known for his appearances on the improv TV show, "Who's Line Is It Anyway?"
The New Group has made its name by doing modern, slice-of-life British plays, such as Curtains and Ecstasy. They also received acclaim this year for their mounting of an American play, This Is Our Youth.
For tickets and information on My Night With Reg at Intar on West 42nd St., call (212) 279-4200.
--By David Lefkowitz
