Neil Simon’s “Plaza Suite” Comes to Art Center Theatre

The Arts Center Theatre (ACT) sets its backdrop in the upscale Manhattan “Plaza Hotel” in the second of the Neil Simon productions in the inaugural season. Plaza Suite premiered in 1963 at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven and the Colonial Theatre in Boston before opening on Broadway on February 14, 1968. 

This play is composed of three acts, each involving different characters but all set in Suite 719 of the famous Plaza Hotel. 

The first act, Visitor From Mamaroneck, introduces the audience to not-so-blissfully wedded couple Sam and Karen Nash, (played by Jay Terzis and Karen Ezrine) who are revisiting their honeymoon suite in an attempt by Karen to bring the love back into their marriage. 

“This act is more serious than the normal Simon, giving a chance for comedic actors to also test their dramatic muscles. Don‘t worry there are still plenty of laughs. Acts two and three are back to the standard Simon fare.” Director Paula Keenan noted.

The second act, Visitor from Hollywood, involves a meeting between movie producer Jesse Kiplinger (Carl Back) and his old flame, suburban homemaker Muriel Tate (Diana Back). 

The third act, Visitor from Forest Hills, revolves around married couple Roy and Norma Hubley (played by Mitch Frank and Betsy Greenblatt) on their daughter Mimsey's (Jackie Weiner) wedding day. 

Paula Keenan who had regularly directed for The Marco Players will direct Plaza Suite for ACT. Last season she directed The Hallelujah Girls. In previous years, she directed A Doublewide Texas Christmas by the same authors as this production, On the Farce Day of Christmas, Flamingo Court, and Neil Simon’s Come Blow Your Horn. Paula also directs at The Studio Players where a few of the productions were: The Waverly Gallery, Agnes of God, The Cocktail Hour, and Over the River and Through the Woods. This past year she directed Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park and Other Desert Cities for The Studio Players.

The Arts Center Theatre will be presenting this production beginning February 8 and running through February 26. Shows will be running at the venue located in Marco Town Center (next to Marco Brewery) 1089 N. Collier Blvd Ste. 432 on Wednesday through Saturday 7:30 PM curtain and Sunday matinees with curtain at 3:00 PM. Tickets are on sale now by calling 239-394-4221 or online at https://www.marcoislandart.org/arts-center-theater/.