Jay Johnson to Host 'Bway on Bway' Pre-Show Festivities

Jay Johnson, soon to appear on Broadway in Jay Johnson: The Two and Only!, will help usher in the new season as he hosts the pre-show festivities for "Broadway on Broadway," this Sunday, September 10th.  Johnson (and friend) will hit the Times Square stage at 11 a.m.

In his 30-year career, Johnson has "converted generations of ventriloquist-avoiding Americans with his unique blend of charm, anarchy and innovative wit. In Jay Johnson: The Two and Only! he deconstructs and demonstrates his lifelong obsession, aided by a 'cast' that includes 'Bob,' 'Amigo,' 'Darwin,' Long John La Feat,' 'Nethernore the Bird of Death,' 'Spaulding,' 'Arthur Drew,' 'Jackie and Ga Ga' and 'Squeaky.'"

Johnson is best-known for playing the schizophrenic role of Chuck and Bob on the television comedy "Soap." "With his dummy Bob, Jay Johnson follows in the footsteps of such performers as Jules Vernon, Fred Russell (and Coster Joe), The Great Lester (and Frank Byron, Jr.), Edgar Bergen (and Charlie McCarthy) and Paul Winchell, who have all helped to define ventriloquism as a bonafide modern art form."

The Two and Only is directed and co-created by Murphy Cross and Paul Kreppel. Their collective credits include Broadway (A Chorus Line, Godspell), New York Shakespeare Festival, film (Annie, Perfect) and television ("Deadwood," "Carnivale," "ER," "It's A Living," "Taxi" and "Cheers") as directors, performers and choreographers.

The creative team also includes Beowulf Boritt (scenery), Clifton Taylor (lighting), David Gotwald (sound), and Michael Andreas (original music).

The show is produced by Roger Alan Gindi, Stewart F. Lane & Bonnie Comley, Dan Whitten, Herbert Goldsmith Productions, Ken Grossman, Bob & Rhonda Silver, Michael A. Jenkins/Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. and WetRock Entertainment. The show had an acclaimed run off-Broadway at the Atlantic Theater in 2004.

The Two and Only will play the following performance schedule: Tuesday - Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., Sun at 1 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Tickets ($81.25 & $51.25) can be purchased through Telecharge (212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com, and at the Helen Hayes Theatre box office. Student rush tickets will be $25.00 and available (cash only) at the box office.  There is a limit 2 per valid student ID, and they may be purchased any time on the day of performance.