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“Peachtree Battle” is finally closing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Anna House will be back in the house for one last performance in “Peachtree Battle.” Staff photo by Elissa Eubanks.
“Peachtree Battle,” which skewers Atlanta socialites and wraps a serious look at racism and homophobia in quick-paced comedic banter, is closing after seven years. It’s the longest running play in Atlanta history.
Anna House returns as boozy Azalea Wieuca for the play’s final weekend, reprising the role written just for her during this Saturday’s 3 p.m. matinee at the Ansley Park Playhouse.
“It just wouldn’t be right to end the show without Anna playing Azalea one more time,” playwright John Gibson said in an e-mail.
“I’ve never played a character that touched so many people and made so many people laugh,” House, who left the show after its first six years, said in an e-mail. “This has been an experience I will never forget.”
The play, which has drawn 140,000 patrons and raked in $3 million, closes on its seventh anniversary, on Sept. 7.
The central plot in “Peachtree Battle” - the son of a prominent Atlanta family announces he’s marrying a Hooters waitress - is the backdrop for local name-dropping, lashing of politicians of all stripes, and a send-up of in-town social climbing and square suburban sensibilities. Racism and homophobia get examined as do a dysfunctional family’s wacky dynamics.
Over the years the play’s been updated to work in mention of current events, and guest stars, including Monica Pearson, above, have dropped by.
I’ll be out of town this weekend but I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that Atlanta businessman Barry Flink either plans to be there or wishes he could be. When I met him last year he was close to clocking 75 performances in the audience.
Have you seen “Peachtree Battle?” Will you miss it? Are you going to the final show? Hustle if you want tickets.
Atlanta businessman Barry Flink was on hand last year to toast Anna House’s 1000th performance. We’re guessing he might show up for her final show this weekend. Staff photo by Bita Honarvar.
Comments
By Erik
September 2, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
The night that I saw “Peachtree Battle” was the worst night I’ve ever spent in a theater and no I’m not kidding.
Good riddance.
By Sandy
September 2, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
I agree with Erik. I was so looking forward to seeing the “great” Peachtree Battle. The “comedy” crossed the line of vulgar throughout most of the “performance”. This was, by far my least favorite night spent at the theater. The fact that it ran for so long proves how influential the “pack mentality” be. Again, in agreement with Erik……….good riddance to bad rubbish.
By Joan
September 2, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
I couldn’t disagree with you more. Peachtree Battle was one of the funniest shows I have ever seen and was well worth the wait!!
By Jimmy Baron
September 2, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
The PR people from PB begged me for years to come see the play when I was with 99X, and I had read nothing but superlatives about it for so long, so my wife and I finally went. I will say this; they are very nice people there and very accommodating, but that was the most painful theatrical experience I’ve had in Atlanta with the possible exception of Agatha’s Dinner Theatre. Talk about hokey and not funny. it was painful. I’d love to see a demographic breakdown of people who have been entertained by that play.
By Dawn
September 2, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
I have to agree with Joan. I had the pleasure of seeing the production twice. I will say I enjoyed the cast with Anna House more. I will miss the play. My husband and I were planning to see it again this Christmas and take a few friends and family with us.
The best way we could descibe the play was “you can’t be too sensitive about anything because they poke fun at everything”. You have to be open minded in order to enjoy this play.
I for one will be sad to see it end but I look forward to other productions as Ansley Playhouse.
By Betty Buckhead
September 2, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
I think Peachtree Battle was a very well-written play and was lots of fun. I am a native Atlantan and active in comedy and believe that their work was right on the money. I saw Peachtree Battle when it first came out and again recently. Congratulations to the cast and creators John Gibson and Anthony Morris on a very long and successful run of an excellent show. Thank you for entertaining us for 6 years and best wishes to you on your future projects.
By Betty Buckhead
September 2, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
I think Peachtree Battle was a very well-written play and was lots of fun. I am a native Atlantan and active in comedy and believe that their work was right on the money. I saw Peachtree Battle when it first came out and again recently. Congratulations to the cast and creators John Gibson and Anthony Morris on a very long and successful run of an excellent show. Thank you for entertaining us for 6 years and best wishes to you on your future projects.
By Jessica
September 2, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
I have seen the play three times and loved it each and every time. You do have to be open minded and the humor is on the adult side of things but over all it is and was a great show!
I’m looking forward to Peachtree Battle II.
By Atlanta Pearl Girl
September 3, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this
Being an Atlanta native (we are very rare these days), Peachtree Battle portrayed so many Atlanta families to a ‘T’.
I always recommended the play to friends who came into town to taste our Southern flair!
We will miss you Peachtree Battle!
By Rob
September 3, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
* RIP * This play got better when they moved it to a theater with a cash bar — other than that - it was a totally wretching experience.
By Ryan Russell
September 8, 2008 4:46 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe it. I’ve been wanting to go to this play for years and I finally decided to look it up just now to get tickets. Guess what. I waited EXACTLY the amount of time that was too long because it just closed yesterday. Is this correct? Did it close on Sunday, September 7, 2008 or is this information wrong? I sure hope it is. I want to see it at least once! Write me an email at rionrustle @ yahoo . com if you know anything more about it. Thanks!
By Jennifer Brett
September 8, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
Sorry Ryan! It really is over. You can read all about the farewell here
By Margaret
September 9, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
I saw Peachtree Battle and was entertained but disappointed. My main problem with the production was that if they want to portray a true “native” Atlantan they should have found actors with true southern accents. I did not feel that the fake southern accents of some of the actors were credible enough to use. Just leave them out - otherwise it is as bad as Kevin Costner as Robin Hood!