80’s and 90’s kids rejoice! Those afternoons setting up obstacle courses using living room furniture have paid off! This September, Marc Summers will star in his one-man show, The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers, running from September 9 to 30 at Alleyway Theatre in Buffalo’s Theater District. The legendary television personality, best known for hosting “Double Dare” and “Unwrapped,” has taken his talents from the screen to the stage in a show that promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience.
“We have a lot of audience participation,” shared Summers. “A lot of people grew up watching me on the Food Network or Double Dare… and always dreamed of getting on stage, doing a physical challenge, maybe running the obstacle course. And so within the body of the show we give a couple of people opportunities to get on stage and do things such as that.”
The show is more than just a revisitation of a childhood game show. It’s a deeply personal exploration of Marc’s life, challenges, and his triumphs. The show takes the audience on a nostalgic journey through the ups and downs of his career, from his early days at Hollywood’s Magic Castle, and work on The Price is Right to the iconic Nickelodeon game show and some of the struggles he has overcome. “We talk about my obsessive compulsive disorder, we talk about my passion for the industry, we talk about staying focused, and how if you have a passion, you have to follow it.”
Audience members can expect a playful and messy experience, especially those that buy an upgraded ticket and put themselves in the slime zone.
Summers’ collaborators on the show are Broadway royalty, Alex Brightman and Drew Gasparini , whom he met while starring in a regional production of Grease. The three connected backstage, after Summers started to share his desire to appear in a solo show. “I started to give [them] my story. And for the next 12 to 18 months, once a week, a couple times a month, Drew and Alex and I would go and have dinner, and they would just ask me questions, and I would tell them stories about my life and they were mesmerized by the people I interacted with, and some of the things I did. And Alex, after those conversations a year later, handed me a script.”
The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers has already captivated audiences, earning rave reviews for its unique blend of entertainment and emotional depth. Marc Summers himself is humbled by the response.
I pour my guts out on stage every night…I think when I wrote the book on OCD about my life and people stopped me and said ‘I didn’t know what I had until I read your book, or until I saw you on Oprah. And thank you because it changed my life.’ So, I think part of my mission is to inform people of what it is that I’ve experienced, and how it may relate to them, and how it may give them ideas on how they can improve their life.
This event is not just a show; it’s an experience that celebrates the highs and lows of a beloved television personality’s life. Marc Summers invites you to join him on this remarkable journey, where the spotlight shines brightest on the man behind the slime. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this extraordinary theatrical adventure, where laughter and inspiration collide.
Listen to the full interview here:
The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers was written by Alex Brightman, with music by Drew Gasparini. Directed by Chad Rabinovitz, starring Marc Summers.
Get your tickets today and prepare to dive headfirst into the world of Marc Summers at the Alleyway Theatre—a world filled with laughter, nostalgia, and a whole lot of slime!
