'Hour' arrives Off Broadway

Jim Brochu’s solo show directed by Piper Laurie

By SAM THIELMAN

"Zero Hour" has arrived Off Broadway. Directed by thesp Piper Laurie, Jim Brochu’s solo show about actor Zero Mostel will start previews Nov. 14 at the Theater at St. Clement’s, with opening night set for Nov. 22.

The show played previously at the New Conservatory Theater in San Francisco (with Brendan James directing) as well as dates in Houston; Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.; and South Florida. The West Jewish Theater production won the new play prize at 2006’s L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Awards.

Framed as an interview between Mostel and a naive journalist, the play follows Mostel from his early years on Manhattan’s Lower East Side through his career as a standup comedian playing the Borscht Belt circuit and his acclaimed roles on the Broadway stage.