Funnyman Colin Quinn’s latest solo offering, “Long Story Short,” has made the move from Off-Broadway to the Main Stem. The limited engagement opened November 9 at Helen Hayes Theatre, where it plays through January 8.

The one man production takes on the hefty task of telling the history of the world in a 75-minute timeslot (without intermission), but it is a feat that the “Saturday Night Live” alumnus pulls off with alacrity. Steaming through centuries and indiscriminately targeting all civilizations along the way, Quinn commands a bare stage that is backed by projections of world maps and classical art.

Comedy A-lister Jerry Seinfeld directs the performance, which has transferred after a summer run Off-Broadway at 45 Bleecker Theatre. The creative team is rounded out by projection designer David Gallo, lighting designer Howell Binkley, and sound designer Christopher Bond with original compositions by Scott Elmegreen.

“Long Story Short” is the second Broadway transfer for the veteran comedian. In 1998, his first solo show “Colin Quinn: An Irish Wake” moved into the Hayes Theatre for a 22-performance engagement.

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A run of 20 previews began October 22 at the 587-seat playhouse. Attendance has varied widely: during the first and third preview weeks, capacity sat around 69 percent, but a second-week low plummeted capacity down to just 29 percent, according to the Broadway League.

During its three preview weeks, “Long Story Short” grossed a total of $229,682, including an $87,764 gross for the week ending November 7. Regular ticket prices range from $59 up to $98, with premium seating options available for $150.

Evening performances are staged Monday and Wednesday through Friday at 8 p.m., as well as Tuesday at 7 p.m. Saturday features three performances throughout the day, starting with a 2 p.m. and continuing with 5 and 8 p.m. evening shows. The schedule includes eight date and time substitutions around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.

Helen Hayes Theatre is located at 240 West 44th Street in New York, NY. More details about scheduling and ticket sales are available on the production’s official Web site.

Opening Night: “Long Story Short”

Publication Critic Review
New York Times Charles Isherwood “As soon becomes clear, Mr. Quinn’s historical lesson plan is fundamentally a fancy way of giving form and purpose to his fondness for ethnic humor.”
TheaterMania Brian Scott Lipton “…exceedingly clever, surprisingly informative, and often hilarious…”
Hollywood Reporter David Rooney “…a savvy socio-historical tour…”
New York Magazine Scott Brown “…one very funny, amicably un-PC hour…”
New York Daily News Joe Dziemianowicz “Between [Quinn] and Seinfeld, the show has great flow and punch.”
New York Post Elisabeth Vincentelli “With premium seats at $150 for just over an hour of basic stand-up, you can’t be blamed for expecting more.”
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