The Cape Playhouse in Dennis has unveiled a play that delves into the life of the trailblazing comic Joan Rivers. Titled “Joan,” the production, which is executive produced by Joan’s daughter Melissa Rivers, has been described as a blend of “hilarious” content and emotional gravity. Nicole Parker steps into the role of Joan, as well as her mother, aiming to offer more than just an impression of the late comedian. CBS Boston reports Parker’s intentions to strike a balance, showing Rivers as “a human being.”
Given Joan Rivers’ larger-than-life stage personality, director Tye Blue and Nicole Parker have their work cut out for them, trying not just to echo her distinctive style but also to peel back the layers of Rivers’ personal struggles and triumphs. Blue expressed his excitement for audiences to learn about Rivers’ backstory in an interview with CBS Boston. “Joan” is set to run through September 20 at this historically intimate venue, which lends itself to the depth of the storytelling.
The production is penned by playwright Daniel Goldstein and is without intermission, clocking in at one hour and 40 minutes. Breaking the mold as she did in life, the show is non-linear, navigating through Joan Rivers’ rise as a comedy heavyweight to the complexities that colored her private life. The cast includes Alex Finke, who plays the young Joan and her daughter Melissa and has been featured in hits like “Come From Away,” and Richard Topol as Edgar Rosenberg, adding to the emotional layers of the production. According to a review by Cape Cod Chronicle, “Joan” navigates these aspects with a mix of rawness and laugh-out-loud moments.
The Cape Playhouse has a storied history as a venue “where Broadway goes to summer,” with its roots stretching back to 1927. The proximity of the audience to the stage in this 540-seat theater adds an element of intimacy that seems tailor-made for a play about such a candid and confessional comic as Rivers. The theater’s unique charm is highlighted by Eric Rosen, the artistic director, who is quoted in CBS Boston, who described the seating as “old pews with very comfortable cushions.” This closeness may well amplify the inspiration Tye Blue hopes audiences will take away, watching the whole of Rivers’ journey, comedy, and dreams unfold onstage.
