ICT’s West Coast premiere of The Laugh Track
takes audiences behind the scenes of I Love Lucy
LONG BEACH, Calif. (September 28, 2026) — International City Theatre presents the West Coast premiere of The Laugh Track, a new comedy about the business of being funny by Wendy MacLeod. Directed by Brian Shnipper, the production opens November 6 and runs through November 22 at International City Theatre’s home in the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. Two low-priced preview performances are scheduled for November 4 and 5.
The play takes audiences behind the scenes of the classic American sitcom I Love Lucy, which aired on CBS from 1951 to 1957. Inspired by the real-life experiences of Madelyn Pugh, one of Hollywood’s first female television writers (often referred to at the time as the “girl writer”), the play shines a light on the inner workings of America’s beloved sitcom and the woman who punched up the jokes, helping to open doors for women in the writers’ room.
In MacLeod’s fictional dramatization, Pugh (Alli Brown) and her writing partner, Bob Carroll Jr. (Josh Odsess-Rubin), meet at a restaurant in 1957, after their work together on I Love Lucy has come to an end. As they reminisce about their years on the show, their conversation triggers flashes of the past, revealing their experiences working with Lucille Ball (Jennifer Sorensen), Desi Arnaz (Bill Mendieta) and various studio executives (Hunter Bodine). Alyssa Corella plays the restaurant waitress, a wannabe actor with ambitions of making it in Hollywood.
Through these flashbacks, we see Maddie and Bob’s complicated relationship, which is tested by Bob’s tendency to let Maddie do the typing while taking credit for her jokes. As their personal relationship deepens, Lucy and Desi come apart, and the show’s singular success takes a toll on everyone involved. Fast-paced and full of wit, The Laugh Track brings familiar characters to life while exploring the challenges faced by women in a male-dominated entertainment industry.
MacLeod was researching the early days of television for a TV show she was developing when she came across Pugh’s obituary.
“A light bulb went off when I realized this could be a play,” she explained. “It was the perfect vessel to say what I wanted to say about comedy. I never set out to write a history or a biography, but Maddie’s story offered a lot of firsts: she was one of the first female television writers, Lucy’s pregnancy was one of the first ever seen on television, and Desi was the first immigrant leading man.”
The Laugh Track was commissioned by Seattle’s ACT and developed at the Hedgebrook Women Playwrights Festival. It premiered at Maine’s Portland Stage Company in May, 2026.
ICT’s creative team includes scenic designer Mark Mendelson, lighting designer Donna Ruzika, costume designer Kim DeShazo, sound designer Hunter Moody and prop designer Patty Briles. Casting is by Michael Donovan, CSA and Richie Ferris, CSA. The stage manager is John H. Freeland, Jr.
The Laugh Track runs November 6 through November 22 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Two preview performances take place on Wednesday, Nov. 4 and Thursday, Nov. 5, both at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $56 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, except opening night (Friday, Nov. 6), and $59 on opening night and at Sunday matinees. Low-priced tickets to previews are $44.
International City Theatre is located in Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center’s Beverly O’Neill Theater at 330 East Seaside Way, Long Beach, CA 90802.For more information and to purchase tickets, call (562) 436-4610 or visit InternationalCityTheatre.org.
Details for Calendar Listings
The Laugh Track
WHAT:
International City Theatre presents the West Coast premiere of The Laugh Track, a new comedy by Wendy MacLeod about the business of being funny. Set behind the scenes of I Love Lucy, MacLeod’s fictional dramatization follows head writer Madelyn Pugh as she navigates the male-dominated television industry, writing and punching up the jokes that helped make the beloved sitcom a hit. Based on Pugh’s real-life experiences as one of Hollywood’s first female television writers, the play offers a lively and revealing look at the woman who helped open doors for women in the writers’ room.
WHO:
• Written by Wendy MacLeod
• Directed by Brian Shnipper
• Starring: Hunter Bodine, Alli Brown, Alyssa Corella, Bill Mendieta, Josh Odsess–Rubin, Jennifer Sorensen
• Produced by caryn desai
• Presented by International City Theatre
WHEN:
Nov. 4 – Nov. 22
Previews: Nov. 4–Nov. 5
• Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday at 7:30 p.m..
Performances: Nov.6–Nov. 22
• Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
• Fridays at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
• Sundays at 2 p.m.
WHERE:
International City Theatre
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
330 East Seaside Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
TICKET PRICES:
$44-$59
• Opening Night (Nov. 6): $59 (includes post-show reception with the actors)
• Sunday matinees: $59
• Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (except Friday, Nov. 6): $56
• Previews: $44
Discounts available for students and seniors.
TICKETS & INFORMATION:
InternationalCityTheatre.org.
(562) 436-4610
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