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Laughter on the 23rd Floor
By Neil Simon
Directed by Michael Menendian
At Raven Theatre
6157 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL
Call 773-338-2177, tickets $25 -- $20 seniors/students
Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 20 minutes with intermission
Through July 26, 2008
Wacky Simon memory play filled with laughs
Raven Theatre, under the swift direction by Michael Menendian, presents a hilarious production Neil Simon’s 1993 smart, one-liner filled hit memory play, Laughter on the 23rd Floor. This show is a belly laughed filled, nostalgia work. So many one-liners keep coming at you that it is almost overwhelming. Menendian’s cast fully understands the material and expertly presents Simon’s slapstick comedy that was based on his being one of the writers for Sid Caesar on his 1950’s hit live TV show.
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Simon worked with his brother Danny Simon, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Larry Gelbart and Mel Tolkin to write for the brilliant Sid Caesar. Working with Sid and all those crazies led to many funny incidents that Simon hilariously depicts in this terrific play. It is essentially a buddy play about the comedy writers as they compete for the love, attention and adoration of Max (the Sid Caesar character). The interplay among the writers fuels Simon ‘s memory. The pressure of writing and producing a 90 minute live weekly TV show produced high stress levels and outrageous antics from the oddball writing staff. The insecurity, zaniness, and instant creativity of this gang of writers makes for a show filled with one-liners and smart retorts.
Listen closely so you don’t miss any of the many zingers and you’ll laugh all night. Led by Eric Roach as Max with Dan Granata (Lucas), Noah Simon (Milt), Greg Caldwell (Kenny), Dean Laprairie (Val), Greg Hardin (Brian), Jeremy Glickstein (Ira), Mckenzie Kyle (Carol) and Elizabeth Lesinski (Helen), the show is filled with wonderful physical and spot-on timed comedy. The cast is outstanding. The slapstick and one-liners sizzle as the show aptly depicts comic geniuses at their craft. Simon would enjoy this production. Eric Roach’s Max and Jeremy Glickstain’s Ira were particularly funny as they blend physical comedy with Simon’s biting dialogue. Nostalgic comedies don’t get much better. We sure need a does of Neil Simon’s genius to remind us of how funny theatre can be.
Recommended
Tom Williams
tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago Podcast
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2008
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