Desperately Seeking the Exit, Tell-All Show About Flop Debbie Harry Musical, Set for Triple Crown Underground

Desperately Seeking the Exit, a behind-the-scenes solo comedy about the short-lived West End musical adaptation of Desperately Seeking Susan, will begin performances May 3 at New York’s Triple Crown Underground. Starring and written by Desperately Seeking Susan creator Peter Michael Marino, the tell-all production dissects his $6 million London flop. Directed by John Clancy, the limited engagement will run through May 10.

Desperately Seeking Susan, which featured the music of Blondie, opened in the West End in 2007 and closed after a month. The musical, based on the 1985 movie starring Madonna and Rosanna Arquette, also included new music by Debbie Harry. Desperately Seeking the Exit details each step of the flop musical’s incubation, including deals with MGM, Debbie Harry and Madonna, the workshops, the previews, the scathing reviews and the closing night.  Desperately Seeking the Exit premiered in Manchester, England at Taurus Bar, and appeared in the 2012 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Marino has appeared off-Broadway in STOMP. He has directed and developed shows at Ars Nova, the Laurie Beechman Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe, the PIT and IO West.