‘Not Ready for Prime Time’: SNL’s beginnings

‘NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME’: Ian Bouillion & cast. Photo: Russ Rowland.

NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME
By Erik J. Rodriguez & Charles A. Sothers
Directed by Conor Bagley
Through November 30, 2025
Newman Mills Theater at The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space
511 West 52^nd Street
https://notreadyforprimetimeplay.com/

By Scott Harrah

Fifty years after NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” first premiered and became a cultural phenomenon, an unauthorized stage bio-drama has arrived off-Broadway on the New York stage.  Not Ready for Prime Time is by no means a definitive or 100% historically accurate chronicle of the early days of the late-night comedy, but there’s enough nostalgia here to please most “SNL” fans.

“Live from New York…it’s Saturday Night!”

The bio-drama chronicles the journey and struggles of series creator Lorne Michaels (Ian Bouillion). He cast a group of up-and-coming comedians and turned “Saturday Night Live” into a mega-hit back in 1975.

The story is structured similar to an “SNL “ episode, complete with a live band. Mr. Buillion, as Lorne Michaels, narrates the tale. All the elements of the original show are here (if you’ve followed the early days of “SNL”). Not Ready for Prime Time recounts the numerous egotistical battles of the actors and writers, all vying for more air time and high ratings. The most poignant backstories include that of Garrett Morris (Jared Grimes), the “token” African American on the show at the time. Depictions of the struggles of the female cast members are also quite powerful.

Copyright restrictions limiting

Unfortunately, the writers and producers of Not Ready for Prime Time were unable to license all of the copyrighted material from the early glory days of “SNL.” As a result, the show sometimes suffers. Anyone old enough to remember the show in the 1970s and early 1980s might be disappointed. For example, in the “Weekend Update” segment, we, alas, never get to see Dan Aykroyd (Kristian Lugo) say “Jane, you ignorant slut!” to Jane Curtin (Caitlin Houlahan).  We also never get to see such classic sketches as the Coneheads (although there’s a scene that pays clever homage, albeit indirectly).

Radner’s Roseanne

Despite the copyright restrictions, Gen X and Boomer fans of “SNL” need not worry. Not Ready for Prime Time is still worth seeing. It has some of the vintage gems like Gilda Radner (Evan Rubin) performing her wacky Roseanne Roseannadanna character. The character was based on a local New York TV news anchor. Radner’s Roseanne often took a serious topic and turned it into a bizarre, personal rant that was outrageous and often grotesque. For example, one segment on quitting smoking turned into a ridiculous story about a man coughing up a chicken bone.

Highlights & shortcomings

All the elements of the “SNL” story are here, from Chevy Chase (Woodrow Proctor) leaving the show after a year to pursue Hollywood films to Gilda’s battle with ovarian cancer and the “nerds” Todd and Lisa, played respectively by Dan and Gilda.  One of the highlights of the show is the live band. In addition, there is a great set by set designers Justin and Christopher Swader.

The script by Erik J. Rodriguez and Charles A. Sothers is problematic. Granted, Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Sothers do a fine job of covering the huge amount of material. However, it’s hard to depict the saga of “Saturday Night Live” in just two acts of a stage play. For audience members old enough to remember the legendary TV show’s early days, the story works, but younger audiences may have trouble following the timeline. Those too young to remember John Belushi’s untimely death from a drug overdose (which was huge news at the time) or Gilda Radner losing her cancer battle might feel a bit lost.

Doing justice to iconic characters

Portraying such iconic characters as the original “SNL” ensemble is a tall order indeed. Thanks to good direction by Conor Bagley, no one makes an attempt to portray anyone as a caricature. Everyone in the cast makes a valiant effort to depict these famous comedians with veracity instead of impersonation gimmicks.

Woodrow Proctor does a nice job portraying Chevy Chase, Mr. Bouillion captures the essence of producer Lorne Michaels, Nate Janis is funny playing both Bill Murray and Dick Ebersole. Ryan Crout is often hilarious as John Belushi. Kristian Lugo is in good form as Dan Akroyd, while Caitlin Houlahan as Jane Curtin and Taylor Richardson as Laraine Newman both shine.

The true standout performances are given by Evan Rubin as Gilda Radner and Jared Grimes as Garrett Morris. Ms. Rubin is both uproarious and touching in all the right moments as the tragic Gilda. Mr. Grimes brings the right amount of anger and emotional depth to Garrett, the first person of color on the show.

Not ‘ready’ for everyone

Not Ready for Prime Time would be perfect for a TV miniseries on any streaming service. However, as a stage play, the story is awkward at times and the proceedings sometimes come across as vague and lugubrious. There’s just too much story to tell in such a short time period, but in a different format Prime Time might seem much more “ready” for audiences to enjoy.

Published October 20, 2025
Reviewed at press performance on October 18, 2025

‘NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME’: Taylor Richardson, Evan Rubin & Caitlin Houlahan. Photo: Russ Rowland.

‘NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME’: Jared Grimes & Caitlin Houlahan. Photo: Russ Rowley.

‘NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME’: Jared Grimes & Woodrow Proctor. Photo: Russ Rowley.

‘NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME’: The cast. Photo: Russ Rowley.

‘NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME’: Ryan Crout & Kristian Lugo. Photo: Russ Rowley.