'Wishful Drinking' Moving to Broadway

Carrie Fisher's one-woman show Wishful Drinking will make its Broadway debut this fall, when it will be presented by the Roundabout Theater Company at Studio 54. Wishful Drinking is a dark yet funny play written and performed by Fisher, and is based on the actress' 2008 memoir of the same title.

The producers state, "In Wishful Drinking, Carrie Fisher recounts the true and intoxicating tale of her life as a Hollywood legend, told with the same wry wit she poured into bestsellers like Postcards from the Edge... Fisher is the life of the party in this uproarious and sobering look at her Hollywood hangover."

The show has been a hit since its premiere at the Geffen Playhouse in Nov. 2006, and has been traveling to regional theatres such as Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, Huntington Theatre Company, and Seattle Repertory Theatre. Tony Taccone, artistic director of Berkeley Rep, directs.

Variety notes:

In a tough financial time for legit nonprofits, the one-actor production Drinking has the advantage of being a low-cost offering toplined by a well-known performer. [The] show has sold well in prior runs, including the stint at Berkeley Rep, where Drinking broke a box office record.

Wishful Drinking will begin previews on Sept. 22 for a scheduled Oct. 4 opening. The limited engagement will play through Jan. 3, 2010 at Studio 54 on Broadway, 254 West 54th St., NYC.

-- Daniel Lehman