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

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…

Actors Fund - All About Eve

Had a truly wonderful experience doing a reading on Broadway of ALL ABOUT EVE for the ACTORS FUND with Brian Bedford, Zoe Caldwell, Jessica Cummings, Joel Grey, Angela Lansbury, Cynthia Nixon, Steve Ross, John Slattery, myself, and Jennifer Tilly, directed by John Erman. It doesn’t get much better than that. A lot of love all around and fun.