Varla Jean Merman, the oft-rumored love child of Ernest Borgnine and Ethel Merman, opens her Off-Broadway debut, Enough About me: An Unauthorized Autobiography Feb. 18. Previews began Feb. 11 for Merman's life story with an open-ended run planned at the Chelsea Playhouse.
Having traveled the world in search of fame and fortune, Merman discovered the most painful truth of all -- the truth about herself. This show promises to reveal the Varla Jean rarely glimpsed at in her previous outings I, Who Have Nothing, Peel Me A Grape, Varla Jean Merman: A Christmas Concert, Varla Jean Merman is The Bad Seedling and The Very Worst of Varla Jean Merman.
Merman is the creation of Jeffrey T. Roberson, who has appeared on Broadway in Chicago and in cabaret opposite Betty Buckley singing excerpts from Carrie.
Michael Schiralli directs with musical direction by David Brunetti. Enough About Me has been designed by Phillip Heckman (costumes), Jim Boutin (sets), Susan Hamburger (lighting), Darleen Majewski (sound) and Wigmaster Associates (wigs).
The Chelsea Playhouse is located at 125 West 22nd Street. To order tickets, call (212) 307-4100. -- By Christine Ehren