Weekend Guide: Theater Nov 20, 2009
Neil Simon Theatre, 250 W. 52nd St.; 212-757-8646 ... ": *** Bill Daugherty's '40s-era musical about the Great Depression seems all too relevant today. Triad Theater, 158 W. 72nd St.; 212-352-3101. "THE EMPEROR JONES": ***; Superlative revival of Eugene O'Neill's 1920 expressionistic classic. Irish Repertory Theater, 132 W. 22nd St.; 212-727-2737. Closes Nov. 29. "GIRL CRAZY": Ana Gasteyer, Wayne Knight and Marc Kudisch star in this Encores! revival of George and Ira Gershwin's 1930 musical.... (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Grant Heslov finds a niche behind the camera Nov 20, 2009
Clooney asked Heslov, then a student at the University of Southern California, if he wanted to do a scene from Neil Simon s Brighton Beach Memoirs. Heslov agreed, playing the nerdy Eugene to Clooney s older sibling Stanley. (Boston Globe)
'Ragtime' revival puts renewed emphasis on people Nov 16, 2009
It also sets the bar very high for what is to follow at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre, where a respectful, recalibrated revival of the musical opened Sunday. If nothing else quite reaches that joyous proclamation of theatricality, so be it. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Jim Henriksen, Regina Ford, Barbie Anastos and Jerry McAllister star in Neil Simon’s Chapter Two on Nov. 12-14 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. at the West Center. Photo by LINDA SPARKS Nov 7, 2009
Jim Henriksen, Regina Ford, Barbie Anastos and Jerry McAllister star in Neil Simon s Chapter Two on Nov. 12-14 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. at the West Center ... Valley Players will launch its new season with Neil Simon s Chapter Two, a play about the sweet promise, perils and pitfalls of a second marriage, Nov. 12-15 at West Center Auditorium ... The veteran director and actress said she loves Neil Simon s work because he writes for actors and calls Chapter Two a treasure. (Green Valley News & Sun, AZ)
Second City Takeover Oct 23, 2009
Meanwhile, hot Chicago director David Cromer--whose moving, teacup-size revival of Our Town is a megahit downtown--will tackle the work of that quintessential New York wiseacre, Neil Simon, directing revivals of his autobiographical plays Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound. Chicago, of course, has been a major force in American theater for some years. (Time.com)
MARSHFIELD AROUND TOWN: Trinity rings bells for planet Oct 22, 2009
The comedy Plaza Suite by Neil Simon will be performed this weekend (and also in November) by the Bay Players. The Bay Players have performed for more than 50 years in a variety of locations, including Duxbury, Kingston, Plymouth and Marshfield. (Marshfield Mariner, MA)
Daniel Melnick, 77; produced hit movies and TV shows Oct 19, 2009
He also oversaw such films as the Neil Simon comedy The Sunshine Boys and Network, the 1976 biting satire of television that fore- shadowed the ensuing decades. While in charge of production at Columbia in the late 1970s, he helped develop the divorce drama Kramer vs. Kramer, the nuclear drama The China Syndrome, and the violent Midnight Express. (Boston Globe)
Star keeps 'Promises' Oct 14, 2009
Neil Simonand was first produced on Broadway in 1966 ... Based on Billy Wilder's movie "The Apartment," "Promises" has a book by Neil Simon and was first produced on Broadway in 1966. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Community Notes Oct 6, 2009
PRINCETON ; ;California Suite; by Neil Simon will be presented Friday through Sunday at the Prairie Arts Center, 24 Park Ave. East in Princeton. Area residents from DePue, LaSalle, Princeton and Malden will be featured in this delightful comedy by one of the masters of comedy Neil Simon. (Princeton Bureau County Republican, IL)
Mutiny on the 'Brighton' Oct 2, 2009
Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs"-- and not all of it's in the script ... She keeps telling the Nederlanders [who own the theater] that Neil Simon should be at the Neil Simon Theatre ... " michael.riedel@nypost.com email Michael Riedel There's a lot of bickering in the new revival of Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs"-- and not all of it's in the script. Rehearsals got pretty tense this week when the cast, led by Laurie Metcalf, revolted against hotshot director David Cromer, who's making... (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Behind the scenes of 'Uncharted 2: Among Thieves' Sep 26, 2009
What makes her performance under Karan Johnson's strong direction even better is the strong ensemble cast backing her up with warmth and precision in this autobiographical Neil Simon play. As Bella, aunt to the teenage protagonists (the younger Arty, played by A.J. Barco, and Jay, played by Michael Gregory),who in the early 1940s are forced to move in with their fearsome grandmother, Jorn finds within her character the humorous threads that Simon intended, including her exaggerated... (Fresno Bee -- Business)
Fame's Honor Roll Sep 20, 2009
Jennifer Aniston: The daughter of two actors got accepted after performing a monologue from Neil Simon s I Ought to Be in Pictures ... Jennifer Aniston: The daughter of two actors got accepted after performing a monologue from Neil Simon s I Ought to Be in Pictures. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
`M-A-S-H' Writer Larry Gelbart Dies Sep 12, 2009
Early in his career, he worked on Sid Caesar's television show, joining a legendary writing team that included Mel Brooks, Neil Simon and Carl Reiner. 2009 Associated Press. (Newsmax)
Larry Gelbart; ‘Oh God!’ writer won Emmy for ‘M*A*S*H’ Sep 12, 2009
Sid Caesar s Show of Shows had a legendary writing team with (front, from left) Gary Belkin, Sheldon Keller, Michael Stewart, Mel Brooks, and (rear, from left) Neil Simon, Mel Tolkin, and Larry Gelbart ... In 1953 Mr. Gelbart accepted Sid Caesar s offer of $1,000 a week to work for Caesar s Hour, joining a legendary writing team that included Reiner, Mel Brooks, and Neil Simon. (Boston Globe)
Date Lines: ACT goes musical Sep 12, 2009
American Conservatory Theater's master of fine arts class of 2010 opens its final year today with a showcase production of "Sweet Charity," the naive-hooker musical by Cy Coleman with a book by Neil Simon and lyrics by Dorothy Fields. "Charity" plays through Sunday at Zeum Theater. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
MUST-SEES: These plays are the thing Sep 10, 2009
15) Neil Simon Theatre , and 's Tony-winning musical adaptation of the sprawling novel returns to Broadway, via Washington's Kennedy Center. In the Next Room or the vibrator play(Nov. (USA Today -- Life)
New Plays Outnumber Revivals on Broadway Sep 9, 2009
Broadway will get a double dose of Neil Simon this fall. Two of his three autobiographical trilogy plays, "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "Broadway Bound," will run in rep at the Nederlander Theatre. (CBS News -- Entertainment)
Valley Players sets ‘Chapter Two’ auditions Sep 9, 2009
The Valley Players, Green Valley s community theater group, will hold auditions for its fall production, Chapter Two by Neil Simon, on Sept. 14, at West Center auditorium, and Sept. 16, at Desert Hills Center, both at 6 p.m.. This is the first time auditions for a Valley Players production will be open to the public as part of an effort to expand participation, said Roberta Konen, who will direct the production. (Green Valley News & Sun, AZ)
Daily guide to television and radio Aug 29, 2009
Neil Simon s spoof of detectives. Peter Falk. (Boston Globe)
Apatow Draws from Life with 'Funny People' Aug 3, 2009
NEW YORK, Aug. 2, 2009. Apatow Draws from Life with 'Funny People. (CBS News)
New play opens Friday in Franklinton Aug 1, 2009
Neil Simon s comedy God s Favorite will come to life beginning tonight in Franklinton. The play, originally produced on Broadway in 1974 and loosely based on the Biblical Book of Job, is presented by the Franklinton Community Theatre and will have four local performances. (Bogalusa Daily News, LA)
Scared straight Jul 24, 2009
In a Neil Simon comedy, Jack Lemmon, a hard working New York guy, comes home to his wife, played by Anne Bancroft, and like a robot tries to relax and turn the TV on. No TV. (Burlington Union, MA)
'Star-Spangled' reunion Jul 24, 2009
Star-Spangled' reunionCLC Summer TheatreFor the cast of the Central Lakes College Summer Theatre production of Neil Simon's "The Star-Spangled Girl", the work on the show has been like a reunion ... Sophie (right), portrayed by Heidi Thielen, attempted to dissuade Norman (Pat Stenglein, left) of his romantic interest in her while friend Andy (Craig Hostetler) intervened during rehearsal for the upcoming Central Lakes College Summer Theatre production of Neil Simon's "The Star-Spangled Girl." ...... (Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
‘Last of the Red Hot Lovers’ at Gloucester Stage Jul 15, 2009
Barney catches Elaine, Bobbi, and Jeanette in his net in Neil Simon s Last of the Red Hot Lovers, a romp through the 60s sexual revolution. Ken Baltin takes on Barney, and Karen MacDonald (above, with Baltin) plays all three ladies in the Gloucester Stage production. (Boston Globe)
Neil Simon 'clunker' is Fool's gold Jul 9, 2009
John Otwell (Leon Tolchinsky) acts out a scene during rehearsal for Town #x2019;s production of Neil Simon;s ;Fools; at the Athens Community Theater ... John Otwell (Leon Tolchinsky) acts out a scene with Shelley Marck (Sophia Zubritsky) during rehearsal for Town #x2019;s production of Neil Simon;s ;Fools; at the Athens Community Theater ... When Neil Simon was divorcing his wife, it was decided that she'd get the proceeds of his next play. (Athens Banner-Herald)
‘Last of the Red Hot Lovers’ has cooled in 40 years Jul 8, 2009
GLOUCESTER - Neil Simon s Last of the Red Hot Lovers is 40 years old ... LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS Play by Neil Simon. (Boston Globe)
'Whatever Works' Jul 3, 2009
But the unabashed theatricality of the piece -- David's long monologues and breaking the fourth wall in direct speech to the audience -- screams "stage play." There's a fine line between this sardonic vitriol and Broadway comedy of the Neil Simon kind. Speaking of fine lines, some gems are worth waiting for. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
It Happened in Keokuk Jul 1, 2009
The play, a Neil Simon comedy, is a modern version of the Book of Job. The Salvation Army will offer three meals per week under its Family Nutrition Program, beginning Monday, July 9. (Keokuk Daily Gate City, IO)
Show features series of plays Jun 30, 2009
The Good Doctor, a series of short plays written by Anton Chekhov and adapted by Neil Simon, opens at the Shuler Theater Thursday, at 7:30 p.m.. This comedy is a series of scenes in which the character of the writer is a common thread throughout. (Raton Range, AL)
Celebrity birthdays for the week of June 28-July 4 Jun 25, 2009
Playwright Neil Simon is 82. Singer Bill Withers is 71. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Make headlines at June 18 event Jun 16, 2009
Savor more New York experience in Cleveland by attending opening night of Neil Simon play Lost in Yonkers at The Cleveland Play House on Wed. Jan. 13, 2010, including a pre-show reception and backstage visit with director and cast. (Cleveland Jewish News, OH)
'Biloxi' is a realistic tribute Jun 16, 2009
In this play, running through June 27 at the Half Moon Bay theater, a small cast takes advantage of Neil Simon s witty writing, noteworthy acting chops and a 1940s musical backdrop to realistically re-create the sounds, words, fears, dreams, and thinking of World War II.. It s all seen through the impressionable eyes of new Army recruit Eugene Morris Jerome, Simon s fictional yet autobiographical counterpart, played appealingly and personably by Lucas Gust. (Half Moon Bay Review, CA)
BACKSTAGE: Starlight issues appeal for funds May 30, 2009
"Two world premiere musicals, one world premiere play, Roger Rees' one-man Shakespeare show, a Neil Simon classic, the West Coast premieres of several high-profile new plays and the Grinch make up the Old Globe's 2009/2010 season.The season will get under way with a bang in September with the pre-Broadway tryout of "Sammy," a musical life story of the late entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. with book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse ("Victor/Victoria," "Doctor Dolittle," "Stop the World I Want to... (North County Times)
Franklinton Community Theatre to hold tryouts for Gods Favorite May 28, 2009
Franklinton Community Theatre plans to present Gods Favorite a comedy by Neil Simon. Tryouts will be held on Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church, 1015 Cleveland Street. (Bogalusa Daily News, LA)
BACKSTAGE: Welk names new theater director May 28, 2009
Two world premiere musicals, one world premiere play, Roger Rees' one-man Shakespeare show, a Neil Simon classic, the West Coast premieres of several high-profile new plays and the Grinch make up the Old Globe's 2009/2010 season ... -- "Lost in Yonkers": Neil Simon's Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning 1991 comedy/drama about two young brothers struggling to grow up in the care of their severe grandmother in 1942 New York. (North County Times)
Commonweal founder, artistic director find May 21, 2009
Eric Bunge and Hal Cropp knew some day they would end up playing familiar roles in Neil Simon s The Odd Couple ... WHAT: Commonweal Theatre Company s production of Neil Simon s The Odd Couple. (Winona Daily News, MN)
Commonweal founder, artistic director have a lot of themselves to offer as ‘The Odd Couple’ May 18, 2009
Eric Bunge and Hal Cropp knew some day they would end up playing familiar roles in Neil Simon s The Odd Couple ... WHAT: Commonweal Theatre Company s production of Neil Simon s The Odd Couple ... Contributed photo: Eric Bunge plays Felix and Hal Cropp portrays Oscar in the Commonweal Theatre Company s production of Neil Simon s The Odd Couple. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Summer events listings May 17, 2009
July 2-July 19: Last of The Red Hot Lovers by Neil Simon. Tickets: Adults: $37; Senior Citizens: $32; Students: $32. (Boston Globe)
Split-plan house gives privacy to siblings, caregivers May 16, 2009
Roommates and sisters Margaret and Doris McBride are like Neil Simon s Odd Couple. Margaret admits she s the Oscar Madison of the pair, whose bedroom elicits gasps of disapproval whenever her sister enters. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
Stein, Williams and Maupin combine for 'Party' May 14, 2009
"He writes dialogue like nobody's business. He's up there with Neil Simon, and I say that with the utmost respect.". JoAnne Winter, the artistic director of Word for Word, is one of four actors performing in the three plays and has to navigate the abstract wordplay of Stein (directed by Delia MacDougall) and the multilayered prose of Williams (also directed by Fisher). (San Francisco Chronicle)
Las Vegas Strip performer Danny Gans dead at 52 May 3, 2009
In 1995, Gans began a one-man show, "Danny Gans on Broadway: The Man of Many Voices," at the Neil Simon Theater in New York. "A hardworking, eager-to-please entertainer who does rapid-fire imitations of show-biz personalities ranging from Tony Bennett to Al Pacino to Sarah Vaughan," AP Drama Critic Michael Kuchwara said of Gans in a review. (Yahoo News)
Troupe vows to live on May 3, 2009
That future could begin as early as June 12, the scheduled open date for Neil Simon s Fools. But the impact of the losses on that show already are being felt. (Athens Banner-Herald)
City Beat (10) May 3, 2009
Includes performance of opening play, Neil Simon s The Odd Couple. Reservations to 440-338-3171. (Cleveland Jewish News, OH)
Obituaries in the news May 2, 2009
In 1995, Gans began a one-man show, "Danny Gans on Broadway: The Man of Many Voices," at the Neil Simon Theater in New York. Gans worked his way up in Las Vegas, after deciding to leave Broadway in 1997 to be closer to his family in La Canada Flintridge, Calif. (Anchorage Daily News)
A new theater comes to Mayfield Village Apr 10, 2009
FPAC s first show is Neil Simon s classic comedy The Odd Couple, about two 30-something men who choose to share an apartment. It s an easy show and fun with lots of laughs and a great way for people to get to know the theater, says Fulton. (Cleveland Jewish News, OH)
Not So Free Love Apr 6, 2009
but as the Neil Simon of hate. (He has had ten plays produced Off Broadway in the past nine years. (New Yorker)
LCCT lightens offerings for next season Apr 5, 2009
Jake s Women by Neil Simon: Jake is a novelist facing a marital crisis by daydreaming about the women in his life. The comic flashbacks played in his mind are interrupted by visitations from actual women, who include a revered first wife who was killed years earlier in an accident, his daughter, his boisterous and bossy sister, an opinionated analyst, his current wife and a prospective third wife. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
A-G Famous American Literature Mar 27, 2009
C Come Blow Your Horn by Neil Simon. Come Blow Your Horn (1961) was the first play by Neil Simon to be staged on Broadway. (Suite101.com)
'Firebrand of Florence': smashing concert version Mar 14, 2009
Yet these two giants managed to produce "The Firebrand of Florence," a musical that's pretty much unknown more than six decades after it quickly expired at Broadway's Alvin (now the Neil Simon) Theatre. New York heard it again Thursday in a smashing concert version at the newly refurbished Alice Tully Hall. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Shakespeare & Co. mixes old and new in '09-10 season Mar 6, 2009
That's followed by the Neil Simon comedy "The Last of the Red Hot Lovers" (July 2-July 19), starring Karen MacDonald; David Hare's "The Breath of Life" (July 23-Aug. 2), with Nancy E. Carroll and Paula Plum as two women who once shared the same man; and Edward Albee's "The Goat: or, Who Is Sylvia?" (Aug. (Boston Globe)
Good kids from the halls of . . . DLHS: Will Bergstrom Mar 3, 2009
He just finished his part in a school play entitled Fools by Neil Simon. I m pretty much a self-motivated student, but if I slipped, I d hear about it, Will smiles. (Devils Lake Daily Journal, ND)
Playing against the odds Feb 28, 2009
LaBute, who wrote the film Nurse Betty and the 9/11 Mercy Seat, is the Neil Simon of his day, a prolific and supremely confident American talent, though he has a virtuosity that comes from being as dark and twisted, on occasion, as he can be bright and diverting. Fat Pig is about a guy who falls for a fat chick and then gets pressured by his mate who thinks this is gross. (The Age, Australia -- Entertainment)
‘The Good Doctor' Feb 27, 2009
DILLON The University of Montana Western's drama department explores the space between literature and drama in Neil Simon's "The Good Doctor," which continues Friday through Monday at 7:33 p.m. in the Beier Auditorium on the Montana Western campus ... Neil Simon depicts the journey of writing through the narration of Chekhov ... "Chekhov is one of the most well-known playwrights to come out of Russia. Neil Simon is author of plays such as The Odd Couple,'" Brazill said. (Montana Standard, MT)
A true story in three acts (2) Feb 27, 2009
Loewy is directing Neil Simon s The Good Doctor at Ensemble Theatre at The Cleveland Play House, running Jan. 16-Feb. 1. (Cleveland Jewish News, OH)
Culture Calendar Feb 27, 2009
Chamber Concert: Enjoy the Callipygian Players, featuring David Schrader at the Morton Arboretum at 2:15 p.m. March 1 during Chamber Concert Series" Tickets are $23 to $28. The performance is followed by a reception. At 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Call 630-968-0074 or visit www.mortonarb.org.Musica Viva Concert: Joliet Junior College Music Professor Dr. Thomas Liley will give the first-ever performance of American composer Claude Baker's new chamber piece, "Burlesque," at the 3 p.m. March 8 Musica... (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Bright lines, dark edges Feb 19, 2009
The Neil Simon comedy has dark edges, but director Larry Lewis ensures that the laughter never ceases for long.. Chris Bucci is Mel, a man in his late 40s taken to burning off nervous energy in the middle of the night by banging belligerently on the walls. (Erie Times-News, PA)
Harold Gould returns in 'Viagara Falls' (3) Feb 8, 2009
Gould s stage work includes Broadway runs of Jules Feiffer s Grown Ups, Neil Simon s Fools and Tom Stoppard s Artist Descending a Staircase. He received an Obie for Vaclav Havel s The Increased Difficulty of Concentration. (Desert Entertainer, CA)
'To Kill a Mockingbird' coming to NIACC Feb 8, 2009
Recent highly successful tours have included Lost in Yonkers, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, A Trip to Bountiful and Steel Magnolias and past seasons have included works by Tennessee Williams, Wendy Wasserstein, Neil Simon, Arthur Miller, Eugene O Neill, Horton Foote, Ken Ludwig and William Gibson. For tickets to the performance of To Kill a Mockingbird , call the NIACC Box Office at 888-466-4222, ext. (Mason City Globe-Gazette, IO)
