Jean Smart, a renowned Emmy Award-winner celebrated for her mesmerizing performances, will grace Broadway once again this summer with a solo act that promises to captivate audiences. She will take center stage in the world premiere of the darkly humorous play "Call Me Izzy," penned by the talented Jamie Wax and skillfully directed by Sarna Lapine. This intriguing production will make its debut at Studio 54 on May 24th, with the much-anticipated opening night scheduled for June 12th.
"Call Me Izzy" is set to enchant theatergoers for a spellbinding 12-week run, concluding on August 17th. Smart, who has garnered six Emmy Awards for her stellar roles in "Hacks," "Fraiser," and "Samantha, Who?," among others, has established herself as a true luminary in the entertainment industry. Her television credits also include memorable appearances in "Designing Women" and "Mare of Easttown," while her filmography boasts notable roles in "Babylon," "Wildflower," and "Sweet Home Alabama."
This marks Smart's triumphant return to the Broadway stage, where she first wowed audiences in the 1981 play "Piaf." She later returned in 2000 for a Tony-nominated revival of "The Man Who Came to Dinner," sharing the stage with Nathan Lane. "Call Me Izzy," written by Wax, who also contributes as a correspondent for CBS News, weaves a tale of a woman living in rural Louisiana who harbors a secret that serves as both her most treasured possession and her sole escape route. Smart herself participated in the play's developmental readings, lending her invaluable insights.
Lapine, who helmed the Broadway revival of "Sunday in the Park with George" starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford, directs this latest theatrical endeavor. The play is produced by Robert Ahrens and P3 Productions, a collaborative effort comprising Ben Holtzman, Sammy Lopez, and Fiona Howe Rudin. Further announcements regarding the additional creative team members will be made at a later date.
