Morningside Theater Company’s recent production of It’s Only a Play proves that great theater doesn’t just entertain—it reflects the very world that creates it. In a glowing review by Charles E. Gerber for New York On-Stage, the production is praised as a witty, affectionate, and richly layered love letter to the triumphs and tribulations of show business .
Written by legendary playwright Terrence McNally, It’s Only a Play is a comedy decades in the making—one that McNally himself revised repeatedly before it finally reached Broadway success. That long journey mirrors the play’s own themes: resilience, ego, artistic vulnerability, and the high-stakes gamble of putting art before an audience.
Set during a lavish opening-night party, the story unfolds in real time as theater artists, producers, critics, and hangers-on anxiously await reviews that could make—or break—their futures. According to Gerber, Morningside’s ensemble rises brilliantly to the challenge.
Jennifer Kim opens the show as the endlessly energetic Gus P. Head, delivering a performance that “never lets up” and sets the pace for the evening. William Franke’s James Wicker brings charm and complexity as the successful TV actor who quietly fears his playwright friend’s work may fail. Alyssa Simon shines with humor and vulnerability as Virginia Noyes, a once-celebrated actress confronting her demons, while Matthew Sirju revels in delicious excess as the egotistical British director Frank Finger.
Susan Peters is singled out for her warmth and comic poise as producer Julia Budder, anchoring the play with elegance and humanity. Thomas Vorsteg’s sharp portrayal of feared critic Ira Drew captures the biting wit and cultural power critics once wielded over Broadway. At the center of it all, Luke Hofmaier portrays playwright Peter Austin with earnestness and idealism, embodying the enduring hope that theater can still “save Broadway.”
At the helm is Susanna Frazer, Artistic Director of Morningside Theater Company, who took on the daunting task of staging a play refined over decades by one of America’s great dramatists. Gerber praises Frazer’s direction as skillful and affectionate, noting that the production balances McNally’s sharp humor with a genuine love for the theater community it portrays.
Gerber ultimately calls the production “a treat”—especially for those encountering It’s Only a Play for the first time. Morningside Theater Company’s staging captures the wit, warmth, and layered humanity that make McNally’s work timeless.
For audiences who love theater—and even those who love to laugh at it—this production is a reminder of why live performance still matters: messy, heartfelt, and utterly alive.
It’s Only a Play runs through November 16 at Morningside Theater Company. Don’t miss the chance to experience this triumphant celebration of theater, artists, and the glorious uncertainty of opening night.
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