Mike Birbiglia's The Old Man & The Pool Extends Broadway Run; Get a First Look at the Production
The new solo show sold out its first week at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center.
Mike Birbiglia in The Old Man & The Pool Emilio Madrid.
Master comedian and storyteller Mike Birbiglia has returned to Broadway with his new solo show The Old Man & the Pool. After selling out the first week of performances, the production has extended, with performances now set through January 15. Opening night is November 13. Get a first look at the production below!
“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,” said Birbiglia in a statement. “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,” he said.
Seth Barrish directs the work, written and performed by Birbiglia, with contributions from story consultant Ira Glass (This American Life). Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and the Pool was originally produced by Center Theatre Group, making its world premiere at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles in 2022, following a developmental run at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. This is Birbiglia's second Broadway show, having previously brought The New One to the Main Stem in 2018.
The play's creative team also includes set designer Beowulf Boritt, costume designer Toni-Leslie James, lighting designer Aaron Copp, sound designer Kai Harada, and projection designer Hana S. Kim. It is produced on Broadway by Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Patrick Catullo, Seaview, and Center Theatre Group.
