 The play opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on November 11, 2001and closed on January 13, 2002 after 73 performances and 31 previews, making it one of Simon's least successful efforts.The play was directed by Jerry Zaks, and the opening cast included Lewis J. Stadlen as Mickey Fox, Rebecca Schull as Zelda, Louis Zorich as Bernie, David Margulies, and Marian Seldes as the wealthy theatergoer.The roles of Zelda and Bernie are based on the real-life owners of the Edison Cafe, Frances Edelstein and Harry Edelstein.