TV: Joan Rivers Opens 'A Work in Progress' in LA

Perennial funny lady Joan Rivers is playing to critical acclaim in her world premiere autobiographical play, Joan Rivers: A Work in Progress by a Life in Progress, now running at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. The stand-up comic and one-time late night talk show host injects her comic wits into the production along with intimate recollections of her often devastating past.

Rivers both writes and stars in the production, "set immediately before Hollywood's biggest award pre-show," in which "Rivers uses her interactions with the other characters as well as her dressing room (B, not A), her cheese plate (puny, not plentiful) and her producer (the bigwig's brother-in-law, not the bigwig), as impetus for an introspective look at aging, going through life's ups and downs and being a woman in Hollywood."

BroadwayWorld's own James Sims recently caught up with Rivers before an evening performance, talking to the comedienne about her long-lasting career, including re-inventing television's coverage of red carpet events, her future on the internet with America Online and a possible transfer of A Work in Progress by a Life in Progress to New York.

Directed by Bart DeLorenzo, and featuring Tara Joyce, Emily Kosloski and Adam Kulbersh, Joan Rivers: A Work in Progress by a Life in Progress recently extended its limited run at the Geffen Playhouse through April 6, 2008. Tickets ranging from $35 to $79 can be purchased online at GeffenPlayhouse.com, by calling 310-208-5454 or at the theatre box office located at 10886 Le Conte Ave. in Los Angeles. And for more from James Sims visit www.simsscoop.com.