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John Ritter On Stage
FALL 2001: "J for J"
Rubicon Theatre, Ventura County, LA
John starred in "J for J"
for 3 weeks from 20 October as the mentally disabled John
Sullivan, son of American actor, Barry Sullivan whose letters to
his first-born inspired his daughter to write a stage play about
her family's life. Jenny Sullivan starred as herself and Jeff
Kober as father Barry. John's performance evoked the following
rave review:
"The remarkable John Ritter
embodies John so
completely that anyone who deals regularly with the disabled
would recognize him as one of their clients. Never out of
character, Ritter is at turns innocent, irritating, joyful and
impatient, with all of the qualities radiating from an
essentially amiable personality. Ritter is perfectly on the mark
in the key performance."
Rita Moran, Correspondent, Ventura County Star.
John has commented on the play: "Having known Barry and met John (Sullivan) a couple of times, I said "yes" before I read it. I identify with it. My father is famous too; I have a brother who is handicapped. We are the younger sister and younger brother who are helping to take care of an older brother, and in that way you take on the role of the older sibling, the protector."
WINTER 1999 (L.A.), SUMMER 2000
(Washington DC)
and FALL-SPRING (New York) 2000/2001
Two long-time friends...two
television icons...
together on stage in:
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During the latter part of 1999 rehearsals went into production on Neil Simon's latest play; a bitter-sweet comedy, "The Dinner Party" and on 21 November the World Premiere was staged at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. The play ran until 16 January 2000. The story involved six people who, at one time, were couples. They have each been invited for dinner by an un-named host, and slowly realise that they have been very carefully chosen as each has some kind of romantic history with at least one other person in the group. The results are hilarious as each individual is forced to confront and come to terms with the emotional baggage they continue to shoulder.
On 17 June 2000 the play opened to excellent reviews in Washington DC at the Eisenhower Theatre in the prestigious Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Two of the original actors changed (Len Cariou and Penny Fuller took over the roles created by Edward Herrman and Frances Conroy in the DC production) but fortunately John and Henry Winkler reprised their roles. Annette Michelle Sanders had the break of a lifetime when understudying for Rita Wilson became a permanent job as Mrs Tom Hanks left the cast before opening night.
(The photo on the right shows the
original L.A. cast)
I loved the cute note in the Stagebill 'credits' of both the LA and Washington productions: "Mr Ritter's footwear provided by designer Gordon Rush". I wonder why John's black, zipped boots were singled out for special mention; none of the other actors' wardrobe, hair or footwear are mentioned!
For the New York
production, Annette Michelle Sanders has been replaced by Jan
Maxwell. Previews began at The Music Box Theatre on 3 October
2000 and the official opening night was 19 October 2000. John and
Henry gave an interview (screened Saturday 9 October 200) on
"Larry King Live" and the photo on the left is from
that interview. About a week later they gave another short
interview on "Showbiz Today" and the next photo is from
that.
Reviews in
New York were mixed, but it's the only non-musical Broadway show
to have recouped its money and tickets are HARD to get now,
especially for weekends. It's already been extended twice so
don't leave it any longer. I've seen it (in Washington DC), and I
can assure you that it's terrific; very funny, and something you
won't want to miss if you're a fan of John and/or Henry because
they are both brilliant and have all the best lines!
In 1981 John toured the New England states of the US starring in "Battle Of Angels" by Tennessee Williams. His first wife, Nancy Morgan co-starred with him.
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Although I can't currently provide photos of any of John's other stage performances, his theatrical credits (in no particular order) are as follows:
J for J
THE DINNER PARTY
LOVE LETTERS
THE UNVARNISHED TRUTH
THE GLASS MENAGERIE
FORTY CARATS
BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE
AS YOU LIKE IT
THE TEMPEST
WHO'S HAPPY NOW
NEVADA
DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS
BATTLE OF ANGELS (1981)
THE PLAYWRIGHT'S THE THING 2
and
one of Steve Martin's one-act plays (Blah?) at the Aspen Comedy Festival, all of which clearly demonstrates, yet again, the versatility of John Ritter, since the titles cover Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams and practically everything inbetween.
