Sunday, March 23, 2025

“Hacks” Star Jean Smart Will Hit Broadway This Spring But Not for Tony Awards Season

There’s a reason that Smart is Jean Smart’s last name.

She’s coming to Broadway this spring in a new play but not to get a Tony Award.

“Call Me Izzy” will open in May, after Tony Award eligibility closes.

So many “Hollywood” stars come to Broadway looking for a Tony, only to be turned away. This way, Smart can pick up accolades without that stress. Very ‘smart’!

The former “Designing Women” star has been on Broadway twice before – in 1981, and in 2000. So, once a generation.

The play, written by Jamie Wax, is directed by Sarna Lapine, niece of famed director James Lapine. Sarna is a hot director herself having steered the 2016 revival of “Sunday in the Park with George” with Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford.

“Call Me Izzy” will have a 12 week run at Studio 54, although won’t be part of the Roundabout Theater. This does mean that Smart, who’s won dozens of awards for “Hacks,” could be a featured presenter at the Tony Awards on June 8th. So it’s a win-win for everyone.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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