The following week we brought the show to The Drury Lane Theatre In Chicago for four more performances. Chicago is a great town. Here are some of the reviews:

“Gallagher’s surprise opening to “Don’t Give up on Me” paves the way for a seamless one-man, autobiographical show at the Drury Lane Water Tower that is packed with energy, his glib singing and his heart-felt stories… There are no huge props or stage sets, just Gallagher and his ability to move an audience with simple narrative and his beast-of-a-Broadway voice. The show includes songs by Lyle Lovett, Burt Bacharach/Hal David, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, Randy Newman and Frank Loesser.”

- Terry Loncaric, Post-Tribune

“It’s Gallagher’s career stories which really seal the deal and cement this show as a must-see.”

- Philip Potempa, NWI Times

“The biggest surprise is Gallagher’s ability to mimic, casting off his familiar voice and distinctive delivery to slip into dead-on Cagney or Dean Martin. That goes for the music, too. Backed by a solid four-piece band, Gallagher’s selections are mostly the croonable showtunes and standards you’d expect, but wait till you hear his Lyle Lovett.”

- Kris Vire, Time Out Chicago

An Oak Tree

The brilliant Tim Crouch wrote and performs “An Oak Tree” with a new guest actor every night. A guest actor who knows absolutely nothing about the play before going onstage other than how he or she will learn what to say as the play continues. I was the guest actor for the opening night and was happy to be there from the first moment I sat down and realized that I hadn’t been on stage in a blackbox theatre in a very, very long time.  It felt like we were all part of a living painting. I was busy making little spots of color where directed and we all discovered the bigger picture as it happened. It was a powerful experience. Dan Fishbach, Michelle Spears and Mark Platt produced it.

Here are is a quote from the Los Angeles Times review:

“From an actor’s perspective, that may sound a bit harrowing. But on opening night, guest artist Peter Gallagher plunged boldly into Crouch’s construct, delivering a performance of such authority it seemed almost impossible to believe that he had no previous knowledge of his material… On opening night, Gallagher’s grief-stricken father produced an atmosphere of anguish that cast light on some of Crouch’s impenetrable themes. Of course, the tone will necessarily change with each new performer, but the final point, one suspects, will remain elusive. What is clear is that Crouch is an assured puppet master who inspires trust in his intrepid guest performers. In that regard, Crouch’s multilayered play is as much a master class in acting as it is an intriguing meta-theatrical exercise.”

- F. Kathleen Foley, Los Angeles Times

Denise Faye (far left) and me from our 1992 B'way production of Guys & Dolls

I just finished shooting BURLESQUE, where I played Cher’s ex-husband and business partner. Christina Aguilera, Stanley Tucci, Alan Cumming, Eric Dane, Kristen Bell, Julianne Hough, and the best dancers in the business make up this great cast.

Cher and I worked together in Robert Altman’s movie THE PLAYER almost 20 years ago. She had a great cameo as my date and the only woman in a red dress at the big Hollywood opening. She looks amazing and we had a great time. The musical numbers look really exciting too.

Denise Faye (NINE, CHICAGO) and former Hot Box Girl from GUYS AND DOLLS, choreographs. Steven Antin directs for Screen Gems and I can ‘t wait to see it.

I could say all the same things about my pal Denis Leary’s great show on FX, RESCUE ME. I had about as much fun as you’re allowed to have at work while working with Denis and his company. He and Evan Reilly wrote one of the best parts I’ve ever had – Father Phil, a Catholic priest – hope I didn’t screw it up!

BETTY ANN WATERS, a film starring Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell and directed by another talented pal, Tony Goldwyn, will be released this year by Fox Searchlight who did such a good job on ADAM last year. BETTY ANN WATERS is a powerful, true story about the lengths a sister went to free her innocent brother. I play Innocence Project founder and a hero of mine, Barry Scheck. Juliette Lewis, Melissa Leo and Minnie Driver also star. I saw a lot of amazing work on this one from everyone. Tony and I have been friends since the early ‘80s where we were on stage in Pride and Prejudice (with Jane Kaczmarek) and then  started our families at the same time while living across the street from each other. He’s a really talented actor and a wonderful director too.

Also just found out that the pilot I did about the CIA in September, COVERT AFFAIRS for The USA Network, got picked up. It also stars Piper Perabo, Christopher Gorham, Kari Matchett. We begin shooting again in April. Dave Bartis and Doug Liman, who I met during the first season of THE OC, are producing and bringing together some terrific and terrifically talented people – it’s a group you’re happy to be part of.

I don’t think there’s anything better in my line of work than good work with good people – probably not too much different from any other line of work.

Don't Give Up on Me at Drury Lane

Don’t Give Up On Me
Songs and Stories from an Actor’s Life

Nov 22, 23, 29, 30
Dec 13, 14

Drury Lane, Chicago
Theatre Box Office – 312.642.2000
Online at TicketMaster.com

Tony nominated and Oscar-winning composer Stephen Schwartz will be celebrated in the closing night concert of the Festival of New American Musicals in Los Angeles on Aug. 22.

The 3-6 PM closing party and concert — directed by Scott Schwartz (Golda’s Balcony, Rooms) — will feature Tony winner Marissa Jaret Winokur (Hairspray), Tony nominees Peter Gallagher (Guys and Dolls, Noises Off) and Susan Egan (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Triumph of Love), as well as Graham Phillips (13), David Burnham (Wicked, Light in the Piazza) and songwriter Georgia Stitt performing Schwartz’s songs.

For tickets and more information, read the full article.

PETER GALLAGHER, DON’T GIVE UP ON ME
A new one-man musical play written and performed by stage and screen star Peter Gallagher

Photo by James Gallagher

Drury Lane Water Tower Place
Sunday, November 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Monday, November 23 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 29 at 7:00 p.m.
Monday, November 30 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m.
Monday, December 14 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets for performances go on sale on Friday, July 31 at 10 a.m. All tickets are $55. Tickets are available at Drury Lane Water Tower Place Box Office, charge-by-phone at (312) 559-1212, at all Ticketmaster ticket centers, or online at ticketmaster.com.  Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more, please call GroupTix for reservations and more information at (877) 4-GRP-TIX or (877) 447-7849 or visit online at grouptix.net.

Read the full press release

And there’s now a page for Peter’s first Broadway production, Hair – take a look here…