VIEW THE TRAILER FOR THE PLAYERS RING PRODUCTION HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al1vak_oPUI
A few months agoI went to see Ernest Thompson (who is of course the author of On Golden Pond) perform his superb one-man show, Archie Parish’s Parting Words. After the show, I went backstage to congratulate him. He looked down at me — and when I say “down,” I mean Ernest stands about a foot taller than I do — and said:
“When are you going to do yours?”
Well. When Ernest Thompson throws down a challenge like that, you’d better pay attention.
So here we are.
The show is called Almost Almost Famous: A Life on the Verge of the Verge. I’ll be taking the stage, not alone, but accompanied by the brilliantly talented pianist and performer Jon Abrams. Together, we’ll attempt to make some sense, in story and song, of whatever the hell it is I’ve been doing since the 1970s.
I am a director, a producer, and a playwright. I’ve written more than thirty full-length plays, countless shorter works, and scripts for kids and families that have found stages across North America, Europe, and even Australia. Now, with friendly impetus from Ernest, I step onstage myself and hope I remember what life was like when I was an actor and a singer. Hey, it’s showbiz. Whatever pays the bills.
The evening features songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Johnny Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael, Frank Loesser, Barry Manilow, and a young upstart named Sondheim. I briefly considered adding rap or hip-hop, but I don’t think my blood pressure medication could handle it…
As for Jon Abrams: He teaches music in the Lowell area to private students, and serves as Music Director at Messiah Lutheran Church in Amherst, NH. He also performs throughout New England as a pianist and music director for theatre productions, wedding and event bands, and dueling piano shows. His repertoire spans Broadway, jazz, classical, classic rock, and the Great American Songbook — with a particular affection for Billy Joel and Elton John.
TO BOOK THE SHOW, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT jacknearysplays@gmail.com OR CALL 978-853-9620
AUDIENCE TESTIMONIALS FROM JACK NEARY’S ALMOST ALMOST FAMOUS
Tommy Carnes
Jack Neary's Almost Almost Famous is a hilarious, heartfelt, and utterly disarming look into his unconventional life. With the ease of a veteran storyteller and the raw honesty of someone who's paid his dues one laugh at a time, Neary takes the audience on a victory lap of his life. It is nothing short of a privilege to be along for the ride. The show moves effortlessly from gut-busting comedy to moments of genuine, aching tenderness, sometimes within the same breath. This is the kind of performance that stays with you long after the lights come up.
Ashley Risteen
I've had the joy of working with Jack Neary many times over the years; but seeing him take the stage in ALMOST ALMOST FAMOUS was truly like getting to meet the whole bright, beating heart behind the plays. The show is part memoir, part concert, part comedy set, part love letter to a lifetime in the theatre- and somehow, all of it is unmistakably Jack. The show lets us spend an evening with him at his most present and generous as he takes us through a life spent writing, acting, directing, collaborating, remembering, and loving this strange, impossible art form. ALMOST ALMOST FAMOUS is the Jack-Neary-est show imaginable, in the best possible way. It's a celebration of theatre, friendship, love, and the stubborn, joyful devotion it takes to spend a life making things. I was delighted and grateful I got to be in the room.
Leo Sherdidan
Great show Jack. I encourage everyone to enjoy an afternoon of pure entertainment today at the Firehouse Theater in Newburyport.
Christine Petrucci
Thank you, Jack for yet another fine performance! We laughed, cried, and empathized. Your vocal selections were just the right medicine. Kudos to Jon for his piano playing and musicianship!
Mara Bonde Ricker
Congratulations Jack!! What a fantastic show-thank you for taking us on your journey-and you and Jon sound soooo great.!
Elizabdeth Ritter Trach
Such a great show! Did I weep through Being Alive? Yes, yes I did.
Gretchen Stone
I ushered for the performance yesterday, and I am so glad I said "YES"! It was fantastic. Wonderful stories, incite, humor and music. I really wanted to dance and kinda did in my seat. Thanks for all the creativeness you have shared with the Newburyport theater community!
Ray Larrow
It was absolutely fantastic.
Kathy Hassey Fionte
Great job Jack! Please consider an encore of this production. Too good not to be done again!
Jean Barille
I had a wonderful theater experience. Lots if great memories. Writing, singing and swaying was remarkable. Keep on going!!!!
Deborah Baker
Fantastic show. Jack has a great singing voice full of emotion. I was so glad to be there. People in the audience had a blast.
Shannon Cormier
It was a wonderful show! It was very special seeing the bravery and vulnerability it took to write and perform something so autobiographical and meaningful to you. I’m so happy to have been there.
Tricia Neary
So great!!!!
Cheryl McMahon Fraser
So much heart and history in Jack’s show - the self-deprecating humor, a Jack Neary trademark- wrapped up with Jon Abram’s skill at the piano, and Jack’s top-notch crooning. See this if you want to laugh and cry.
Mary Fran Chisholm
Outstanding show Jack! Loved it!
Kathy Hammond Coryell
Was an excellent show! Something for everybody! It was a great night! Thank you Jack
Camille Garro
Watching Jack perform this play enabled us to witness so many more aspects of his talent than we were aware he had. Not only was his storytelling so well conveyed, delivering wit with gravitas, but his other talents, such as singing, were a delightful surprise. We were totally entertained by the change of pace of watching this performance and were able to just sit back and enjoy a relaxing evening of Jack Neary's multifaceted talents!
Melinda Labo
I attended the play Almost, Almost Famous about Jack Neary’s career in theater. It was deeply heartwarming and creative. Jack’s choice of music to help him express how he felt at different phases of his life, the ups and downs of being an actor/singer, and the many shows he took part in over the years left me awestruck. Having his incredibly talented nephew, Jon, join him on stage made the show even more “personal,” as their lives seem to have followed a similar track.
Jack’s voice mesmerized the audience throughout the show, and the slideshow in the background gave us all a glimpse into his past. Photos of his family, the many actors and actresses he has worked with over the years, and the plethora of shows he has helped create were fabulous. Of course, Jack’s one-of-a-kind humor sprinkled throughout the show added just enough giggles for those of us who felt tears accumulating while listening to some of the touching memories shared.
After seeing Almost, Almost Famous, I left feeling as if I'd been given a chance to read a very personal diary of one of the most talented men I have ever met.
Roxanna Wagner
Almost Almost Famous is an entertaining genuine romp! You can't help but enjoy yourself.
Arthur Carakatsane
I found the show to be unique, thoughtful, engaging and quirky all at the same time. A very nice afternoon of theater!
Bob Lima
For every Theatre and Great American Songbook Lover, this is a must see performance. You will love Jack!
Catherine Davis
We adored Jack Neary’s singing, dancing, storytelling walk down memory lane through all the steps of his amazing career in theatre. And Jon’s accompaniment on the keyboard was the perfect complement to Jack’s performance of so many great tunes from Broadway and the Great American Songbook. First class entertainment!
Zachary Camenker
Jack's show pays homage to both the wonderful world of theatre that he so clearly loves and his own story of trying to make it in showbusiness. It's a fun and nostalgic 80 minutes with great pacing, wonderful songs, and his classic comic timing.
Kathy Manfre
A poignant, funny and moving story of Jack Neary’s theatrical career…his successes and challenges wrapped up in his charming candor and self deprecation. A thoroughly enjoyable evening of stories and songs written and performed by the playwright himself!!