Jay Johnson: The Two and Only! Sets Broadway Dates

Jay Johnson: The Two and Only!, ventriloquist Jay Johnson's one-man show that was originally expected to hit Broadway last season, has announced dates for its New York mounting. The show will begin previews at the Helen Hayes Theater on September 19.

In Jay Johnson: The Two and Only!, Johnson best known for playing Chuck, a nice man who was always with his nasty wooden counterpart, Bob, on the sitcom Soap deconstructs and demonstrates his lifelong obsession with ventriloquism. Through the illusion of ventriloquism and his diverse array of characters, Johnson takes the audience on his autobiographical tale. Bob is featured in the show, as are many other characters.

The show, directed by Murphy Cross and Paul Kreppel, opened at off-Broadway's Atlantic Theater on May 13, 2004. In his Broadway.com Review of that mounting, William Stevenson wrote: "The evening isn't the most coherent theatrical memoir you'll ever see, and some of Johnson's jokes fall flat. But he shows off his extraordinary ventriloquism skills while giving an interesting overview of the craft."

A revised version was presented at Los Angeles' Brentwood Theater from January 20 to February 19 of this year and then at The Colony Theatre in Burbank from April 22 through May 21.

Jay Johnson: The Two and Only! was originally scheduled to begin performances at Broadway's Helen Hayes Theatre on March 21. However, the show's start on the Great White Way was delayed until fall when the Helen Hayes' current tenant, Bridge & Tunnel, extended its run at the space. That show is now scheduled to run through August 6.

Jay Johnson: The Two and Only! is scheduled to play Boston's American Repertory Theatre from July 12 through August 6. Its official Broadway opening is set for September 28.