Marc Summers.Photo:Brandon Riley Miller
Brandon Riley Miller
Marc Summersis gearing up for a physical challenge all his own.
The television personality — who became a household name, first as the host of Nickelodeon’s long-running game showDouble Dare, and later as the star of the Food Network’s hit seriesUnwrapped— is making the jump from the screen to the stage.
PEOPLE can exclusively announce that Summers is starring in a new Off-Broadway show about his life in and out of the spotlight.
Aptly titledThe Life & Slimes of Marc Summers, the production will begin a 16-week limited run on Feb. 14 ahead of a Feb. 21 opening at New World Stages in New York City.
The show’s producing team will also feature a famous face familiar to Food Network viewers: Guy Fieri. He’ll produce alongsideLisa Dozier Shacketand Jeremy Wein/Existence Media, in association with Gary and Marlene Cohen, Christopher Rhoton and Joe Trentacosta.
The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers.The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers
The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers
“Bringing this show to New York feels like a surreal dream, one that I’m still pinching myself over,” Summer, 72, tells PEOPLE in a statement.
“Honestly, I sometimes feel like the luckiest guy in the world,” he continues. “I can’t wait for people to join us on this journey, where laughter, entertainment and pure joy will collide in the heart of New York City.”
Summers also thanked the show’s creative team for helping turn his dream into a reality.
“The gratitude I owe to the immensely talented duo Alex Brightman and Drew Gasparini can’t be overstated. Their brilliant book and music paved the way for this wild ride, transforming stumbling blocks into stepping stones,” he said. “Equally, I’m indebted to my producers Lisa Dozier Shacket and my incredible friend Guy Fieri for their unwavering support.”
“Their combined efforts have made this a moment I’ll forever cherish,” Summers added.
The show was originally developed and produced at Constellation Stage & Screen in Bloomington, Indiana.
“On your mark! Get set! Go! to this one-of-a-kind intimate theatrical adventure that will leave you inspired, hopeful and feeling like a kid again,” a press release states.
Fans first fell in love with Summers onDouble Dare, which ran on Nickelodeon from 1986 to 1993 (and then for years later in syndication). He was famously the first to interview for the job and was brought on as both the host and producer.
The Indiana native began his career in Hollywood in 1972 as a page at CBS Television City, where (among other things) he assisted with the audience warm-up onThe Carol Burnett Showand began dipping his toe into game shows, filling in as an announcer onThe Joker’s Wildand on the production side ofThe New Price Is Right.
Double Darecame calling after seeing the comedian after he served as co-announcer for ABC’s short-lived game show,Bruce Forsyth’s Hot Streak.After his success, he went on to do a number of other hosting jobs, including 1989’sCouch Potatoes,1993’sPick Your Brain,2002’sWinTuitionand 1991’sWhat Would You Do?(the latter also for Nickelodeon).
Marc Summers on ‘Double Dare’.Courtesy of Marc Summers
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His 20-year relationship with the Food Network began in 2001 when he was tapped to host their longest running program to date,Unwrapped.
Among the many other credits over his three-decade career both in front and behind the camera includes hostingThe New Food Network Starand producing theRestaurant: ImpossibleandDinner: Impossible
Tickets toThe Life & Slimes of Marc Summersare on sale now.
source: people.com
