“Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man & the Pool” will play the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center this fall.
Previews will begin on Oct. 28 ahead of an opening night set for Nov. 13. The solo play will run for 70 performances, through Dec. 30.
Written by Birbiglia, the play will be directed by Seth Barrish (who helmed Birbiglia’s 2018 Broadway-debut play, “The New One”). Additional members of the creative team for “The Old Man & the Pool” include Ira Glass (story consultant), Beowulf Boritt (scenic designer), Toni-Leslie James (costume designer), Aaron Copp (lighting designer), Kai Harada (sound designer) and Hana S. Kim (projection designer).
“In my 22 years of performing comedy, and five solo shows, ‘The Old Man & the Pool’ has given me the most rewarding experience I’ve ever felt with audiences,” Birbiglia said. “This is a show I’m very proud of, and I can’t believe I get to perform it at Lincoln Center Theater. After auditioning for the Philharmonic, the Opera and the New York City Ballet, I thought I’d never get the chance. But here I am. Sometimes you get lucky!”
“It’s always been a cliché that audiences need to laugh but — honestly — after all we’ve been through in the last few years, people really do need to laugh. And sometimes, laughing about the darkest topics can be the most cathartic. I hope you join me. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll call your parents. You’ll write your will.”
Originally produced by Los Angeles’ Center Theatre Group, “Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man & the Pool” had its world premiere at the Mark Taper Forum in early 2022 after a developmental run at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre.
“Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man & the Pool” will be produced on Broadway by Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Patrick Catullo, Seaview and Center Theatre Group.
