Last Call
Written by Peter Danish; Directed by Gil Mehmert
Presented by Frank Blase and Marc Schneider
New World Stages | 340 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019
March 12th - May 4th
Helen Schneider as Leonard Bernstein, Victor Petersen as Michael, and Lucca Züchner as Herbert von Karajan. Photo credit: Maria Baranova
This weekend the NY Times discussed the price of Broadway shows. The star-studded Othello has broken all box office records. I remember seeing Denzel Washington as Brutus in Julius Caesar with Will Sadler and Jessica Hecht in 2005 when tickets were expensive, but doable. Now, they cost more than my rent.
I mention this because it only stands to widen the gap between Broadway and Off-Broadway, financially speaking. But, means nothing when it comes to artistic caliber. While Broadway brings in movie stars and rock stars for name recognition, many don't have the chops or the training to survive 8 shows a week. It's grueling to be sure, but it's what theatre people train for their entire lives. Our European counterparts move seamlessly from the stage to TV to film and back while American film stars can't necessarily afford the pay cut or they fear the notices.
Last Call stars three actors you may have never heard of unless you are more versed in the German theatre scene than I. Their performances are utterly stellar. Helen Schneider plays Leonard Bernstein, fresh in our minds from Bradley Cooper's Maestro, (I only hope he gets to see this.) who runs into Lucca Zuchner's Herbert Von Karajan unexpectedly in Vienna's famed Sacher Hotel one night in the late 80s. This imagined encounter of the actual final meeting of these two musical greats flies by in 90-minutes on stage. Victor Petersen is Michael, their server for the evening. That may sound like a throw-away role, a device, a handy way to keep an understudy nearby, but I can guarantee you, Michael the waiter is an amazing role.
Peter Danish's play makes these characters accessible. While they're famous men, there's no need to know their history before the performance, but a bonus if you do. The skillfulness of the writing and structure made me question why I wasn't familiar with his other works only to find he is also a novelist and composer. Peter's agent suggesting Gil Mehmert as director was a stroke of genius. Two people in conversation can fill a stage in the right hands. And then, there were the designers . . .
The creative team appears to be a combination of New Yorkers and Germans. Christopher Barreca's set design appears deceptively simple. It allows for intimacy and movement and hides a surprise. When combined with Michael Grundner's lighting and Austin Switser's projections, the room could be both hotel bar and grand concert hall. Lindsay Jones’ sound design, which im sure relies on the maestros’ work, beautifully sets the mood and strikes a chord. Rene Neumann's costume design is smart and refined, and I wonder if he is responsible for the full transformation of Schneider and Zuchner to Bernstein and Karajan since I see no mention of hair or make-up. This ensemble of creatives are truly a dream team.
There is a lot of star power in NYC trying to earn your inflation-pinched dollars this season. They will boast big names, run expensive ads, and have a parade of notables through Page Six. I will happily go out on a limb and say Last Call features the best ensemble of the season, on Broadway or Off. Schneider, Zuchner and Petersen are magnificent. The production more than earned its standing ovation last night. Don't miss your opportunity to see this limited engagement!
Click HERE for tickets.
Review by Nicole Jesson.
Published by Theatre Beyond Broadway on March 25th, 2025. All rights reserved.