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Plaza Suite By Neil Simon Directed by Steve Scott Produced by Eclipse Theatre Company At Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL Call 773-871-3000, tickets $25, $20 for students/seniors Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 pm Sundays at 3 pm Running time is 2 hours. 15 minutes with intermission Through August 31, 2008 Popular Neil Simon comedy, “Plaza Suite,” offers a room full of laughs. Eclipse Theatre Company, one of the finest non-Equity troupes, continues their outstanding production values with director Steve Scott’s marvelous casting of many of the finest comic actors in Chicago. Scott uses three couples to tell the three playlets all happening in suite 719 at New York’s Plaza Suite Hotel. The result becomes a showcase for local talent.
The first misadventure, ‘Visitor From Mamaroneck,’ finds the middle aged couple, Karen (Cece Klinger) and Sam (Ted Hoerl) staying in suite 719 at the Plaza. Karen wants to try to reignite their sterile marriage on their 23rd wedding anniversary in the room where they spent their honeymoon. CeCe Klinger is a hoot as the horny wife and Ted Hoerl is effective as the stiff corporate executive more interested in his business that Karen. This smart and somewhat dark comedy poignantly speaks to bleak side of middle aged marriage. Instead of kindling a sexual spark, Karen succeeds in getting the guilt ridden Sam to admit his affair with his secretary, Jean (Nora Fiffer). This serious vignette contains funny, yet biting arguments, demonstrating Simon’s deftness with dialogue. CeCe Klinger is terrific here.
The second playlet, ‘Victor from Hollywood,’ finds super film producer, Jesse (Nathaniel Swift) contacting his former high school girlfriend Muriel (Francis Wilkerson) as he visits NYC. Muriel, in a fabulously funny, star-struck turn by Wilkerson, hilariously vacillates from refinement to horny as she wrestles with her attraction toward Jesse. Again, Simon uses early middle age marriage angst to garner comedy. Wilkerson is outstanding in this vignette.
The third playlet, ‘Visitor from Forest Hills,’ finds Norma (Cheri Chenoweth) trying to get her daughter out of suite 719’s bathroom. Mimsey (Nora Fiffer) is having second thoughts about getting married today. Roy (Jon Steinhagen) is the frustrated father of the bride growing angry over the costs of his daughter’s marriage. This extremely funny, including slap-stick bits, vignette was a clinic on how to land pure comedy. Cheri Chenoweth and Jon Steinhagen were fabulous utilizing a combination of physical and verbal drollery to create mayhem. Simon has a clever message in this playlet. The production values of “Plaza Suite” are strong with Mike Winkelman’s fine set aptly depicting an opulent hotel suite. J.P. Pierson, as the bellhop (and Borden—Mimsey’s fiancé) offered nice supporting work. Classic comedy from Neil Simon is in sure hands with Eclipse Theatre’s stellar cast. Come enjoy a comedy masterpiece at Victory Gardens Greenhouse. Highly Recommended Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast Date Reviewed: July 20, 2008 |
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