The Broadway premier of Carrie Fisher’s one-woman autobiographical show “Wishful Drinking” opened October 4 at Studio 54, a production of Roundabout Theatre Company. Directed by Tony Taccone, the artistic director of the Berkeley Repertory Theater, “Wishful Drinking” is a comedic binge with Fisher telling life as she knows it.
Growing up in Hollywood, she was the daughter of film stars Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. She regales the audience with stories of life with her famous parents and of going on to hit stardom as “Princess Leia” in the first Star Wars movie when she was just 19. She tells about the abuse of drugs and alcohol that followed in her adult life, time spent in rehab, dealing with bipolar disorder and unsuccessful relationships. It’s the tale of a survivor told by her hilarious self.
Previews of the production began September 22, with prices ranging from $31.50 to $111.50. The end of the one week of previews saw ticket sales of $232,375 for this 1,004-seat theater, according to the Broadway League.
Evening performances, Tuesday through Saturday, are scheduled for 8 p.m. Matinees are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. This limited engagement will run through January 3, 2010. Running time is two hours with a 15-minute intermission.
Studio 54 Box Office is located at 254 West 54th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue. Scheduling and ticketing details are available on Studio 54’s official Web site.
Opening Night: ‘Wishful Drinking’
| Publication | Critic | Review |
| Variety | David Rooney | “Fisher’s avoidance of self-pity when reflecting on her lowest points is as admirable as her disdain for self-congratulation in the seemingly well-balanced present state she reluctantly concedes is that of ‘a survivor.'” |
| New York Times | Ben Brantley | “After the show, you’ll probably start to think that Ms. Fisher didn’t really tell you everything. But as long as you’re watching her, you experience the illusion of extremely funny, subliminally sad, full-frontal confession.” |
| Associated Press | Michael Kuchwara | “‘Wishful Drinking’ is as affecting as it is good fun, with humor helping its leading lady sort out all her problems on stage.” |
| USA Today | Elysa Gardner | “…a perfectly pleasant trifle — nothing that requires or inspires great emotional commitment, but fine for a one-night stand.” |
| Entertainment Weekly | Melissa Rose Bernardo | “The artist formerly known as Princess Leia uncorks her martini-dry wit and unleashes a stream of impossibly funny, just-a-bit cruel one-liners, each funnier than the previous one.” |
| TheaterMania.com | David Finkle | “There’s no denying what Fisher is doing is a stand-up routine; but as directed by Tony Taccone and designed by Alexander V. Nichols, that aspect of its origin is craftily disguised.” |