“Breaking Bad” and “Ozark” are unquestionably two of television’s most prestigious 21st-century programs.
Now, you can see stars from both shows live on Broadway in Tony Award-winning writer David Auburn’s new play “Summer, 1976” this spring and summer.
The co-leads, Jessica Hecht (Gretchen Schwartz on “Breaking Bad”) and Laura Linney (Wendy Byrde on “Ozark”) just debuted their new minimalist production about two long-time friends in Ohio at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre and almost instantly received across the board rave reviews.
“(Hecht and Linney’s) performances locked me in,” wrote Vulture.
“(A) richly female-centered drama,” the New York Times said of the show.
And the New York Post’s very own Johnny Oleksinski called the play “an afternoon on a sun-bathed, screened-in porch with two fabulous actresses.”
This show clearly sounds like a hot ticket.
However, we’re happy to report that fairly inexpensive tickets — by Broadway standards — are still available.
In fact, we found some seats going for as low as $92 before fees on Vivid Seats for the brand-new two-hander that’s the talk of the town.
Want to see the show before the buzz reaches an all-time high (and potential Tony nominations)?
Here’s everything you need to know and more to make that happen as soon as today.
All prices listed above were found at the time of publication and are subject to fluctuation.
“Summer, 1976” schedule
Now that it’s officially opened, “Summer, 1976” will follow the traditional Tuesday through Sunday Broadway schedule.
Per usual, matinees will take place on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Want to find the show that fits your schedule best?
Check out our complete “Summer, 1976” calendar including dates, show start times and links to buy tickets here.
“Summer, 1976” cast
If it wasn’t clear before, Hecht and Linney are the only two actresses in “Summer, 1976.”
Here’s where you’ve seen these two hard-working character actresses before (besides “Breaking Bad” and “Ozark”):
Jessica Hecht: NBC’s “Friends,” Amazon’s “The Boys,” HBO’s “Succession” are some of Hecht’s most notable TV roles; as for movies, you may have seen her in “Sideways,” “Dan In Real Life” and “A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood.”
Laura Linney: Her biggest TV role was Showtime’s “The Big C;” she’s also appeared in NBC’s “Frasier” and HBO’s miniseries “John Adams.” When it comes to film, you may recognize Linney from “The Truman Show,” ‘Love Actually” and “Mystic River.”
“Summer, 1976” audience experience
The New York Post spoke with a theatergoer who has seen over 100 shows live on Broadway.
Here’s what they had to say about the experience of seeing “Summer, 1976” live at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
• The Friedman Theatre is a very intimate space. Not a bad seat in the house!
• Seats are comfortable. A little more leg room than in other Broadway theaters.
• The dress code was festive for opening night.
• The show runs 90 minutes, no intermission.
• Get there 15 minutes ahead of curtain time, especially if you need to use the restroom.
• Temperature of the theater? Comfortable.
• Drinks and candy are available at the bar on the lower level.
• Linney and Hecht are brilliant!
Shows on Broadway you need to see
As we near Tony nomination season, many huge shows are making last-minute award pushes.
Here are just five favorites we think we might get nominations this year.
• “Kimberly Akimbo”
• “Some Like It Hot”
• “New York New York”
• “The Sign In Sidney Brustein’s Window”
• “Sweeney Todd”
Want to see what else is new on Broadway? Check out our list of the 13 biggest shows opening this year here.