I Love Lucy: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Sitcom

The onscreen pairing of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz is at the heart of one of the most popular TV shows in history. Who would have thought that to get on the air, they had to battle both a network and a sponsor who thought the show couldn't possibly succeed? Playwright Gregg Oppenheimer – son of I Love Lucy’s creator Jess Oppenheimer – spins the hilarious true story behind America’s beloved TV comedy.

Includes an interview with playwright Gregg Oppenheimer.

Recorded before an audience at UCLA's James Bridges Theater in July 2018.

Directed by Michael Hackett.
Producing Director Susan Albert Loewenberg
Ron Bottita as William S. Paley, William Frawley, and others
Seamus Dever as Jess Oppenheimer
Sarah Drew as Lucille Ball
Abigail Marks as Vivian Vance, Betty Garrett, and others
Matthew Floyd Miller as Don Sharpe, Bob LeMond and others
Rob Nagle as Hubbell Robinson and others
Oscar Nunez as Desi Arnaz
Nick Toren as Harry Ackerman

Associate Artistic Director, Anna Lyse Erikson. Recording Engineer, Sound Designer, and Mixer, Mark Holden for The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood. Senior Radio Producer, Ronn Lipkin.Foley Artist, Aaron Lyons. Production Manager, Rick V. Moreno. Script Supervisor, Nikki Hyde. Editor, Mitchell Lindskoog.

Music performed by Doug Walter. The "I Love Lucy" theme song used with permission of MPL Music Publishing and Songwriters Guild of America. Original music by Doug Walter.