The premise of Celebrity Autobiography, created by Eugene Pack, is an interesting one. The revue where actors dramatically read excerpts from various stars’ memoirs or samples of their poetry emphasizes the comedic, however unintentional on the part of the authors. The theme is that celebrities are often ridiculous when they are dead serious and attempting to be revelatory. What makes various celebrities ridiculousness particularly noteworthy is their self-importance and need for self-aggrandizement.

The rotating cast of actors who read from the unwittingly funny memoirs are noted for their comedic grist and natural funny bones. They keep the pot boiling each night at the Shubert Theatre where the show currently runs through September 6, 2026. In order to see favorite actors performing, the website lists scheduled performances. Though some celebrities like Tony Shaloub, Matthew Broderick, Brooke Adams, Danny Burstein and others rotate in and out, others like Mario Cantone, who can’t resist impersonations, appear for more days of the run.

The chosen celebrities given an appropriate send up are so inherently self-satisfied, it is as if their agents who wanted to add to their own bottom line suggested that their clients’ “words of wisdom” be written for the ages. After all, who doesn’t want to read or listen to the illuminated thoughts that Ryan Seacrest or Vanna White feel compelled to share? Indeed! The beauty of the production is that often the celebrities sage comments are anything but. In fact many celebrity quotes are pegged for belly laughs. Of course when they were written, the actor, or singer, or TV game show star, or TV host, or sports star wrote them in all seriousness. Hence the quote advertising the production, “You can’t make this stuff up.”

First premiering in New York in 2008, the following year it won the Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience. Celebrity Autobiography was revisited in London’s West End and at the Sydney Opera House in Australia to name a few. Problematically, some of the show received an update, but not the entire production. Clearly, Broadway and movie aficionados will be familiar with Ethel Merman, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Carol Channing. A younger crowd may not. Nevertheless, the portrayals as caricatures work, and the night I saw the production, Mario Cantone as Carol Channing and Liza brought down the house.

Obviously, the various actors, most of them with live theatrical experience, make the show unforgettable, though the numerous laugh lines specifically are head-shakingly unmemorable. Creators avoided any political updates which might have been appropriate since the pure folly of politicos has risen to grandiose heights that might have had the audience rolling in the aisles. Instead, the celebrity politicians were avoided and the echoing absence was an opportunity missed. Some of the most LOL humor might be the most current, and certainly we are familiar with key players being hit over the head with them daily. Strangely, that opportunity was lost.

Other than missed opportunities in the sphere of political celebrities, the mash-ups related to topics worked well. For example in the poetry corner, Suzanne Somers and Matthew McConaughey’s very tacky love poetry floated down to the audience, who responded with guffaws and gales of laughter. The Matthew McConaughey drawl put it over the top.

In one of the foody sections, Oprah, Neil Sedaka and Dolly Parton related their habits and diets. Dolly’s self-deprecation about her body was intentionally LOL. Other mash-ups involved music legends-Celine, Buble, Miley, Beyonce, Cher and sports figures-Tiger Woods, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sly Stallone which actors honed with impressions that rocked. In “Broadway Babies” among Carol Channing grousing about Barbra Streisand in the film version of “Channing’s show Hello Dolly” and Ethel Merman (I missed Andrea Martin the night I saw it), Sandy (Jeff Hiller), the dog from Annie shows up. Sandy gets multiple laughs sharing the list of who petted him from Lauren Bacall to Andy Warhol taking his picture. A line ringer that the audience appreciated was when Sandy boasted, “Once I even growled and showed my teeth to Muhammad Ali, and the heavyweight champion of the world backed down!”

It is arguable whether or not the larger stage venue where actors appear in line facing off to the audience with just microphones and no sets worked. Certainly, reading and pacing comedy to sense the audience’s interaction is much easier in a more intimate venue as was done in the past. However, the risk in the large venue with more exalted prices is tenable. People will pay for the much needed laughs in this trying time. And maybe not including politicos to ridicule after they are ubiquitously annoying everywhere is a good thing after all.

Celebrity Autobiography runs 90 minutes with no intermission at the Shubert Theatre on 44th St. between 7th and 8th Avenues. https://celebrityautobiography.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23821737322