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Directed by Mary Hubbard Nugent
Produced by Linda Kouzes
Performances: October 13-14, 20-21-22, 2000
"I think that Plaza Suite will be lots of fun, " said director Mary Hubbard Nugent. Each of the three acts can be handled
as a one act with separate people, allowing more to be involved. Also, the casts
can really focus on that one piece."
Neil Simon's classic comedy is actually three one-act plays that take place in
Suite 719 in the Plaza Hotel, New York City. The acts are tied together with the common
threads of relationships.
Act 1 is funny yet tragic. We meet Karen and Sam, a middle-age
married couple who fight about everything. Wife Karen believes that suite
719 is where they honeymooned; husband Sam says it was one floor up.
They even disagree on the date of their anniversary and the length of their
marriage.
However, as the act unfolds, it becomes obvious that the disagreements are
symptoms of much deeper problems in their relationship. The marriage
unravels, and the comedy becomes touchingly poignant.
Act 2 is a comedy about seduction. We meet a pompous Hollywood producer,
who is attempting to seduce his old high school girlfriend. However, she
is now married with three children. Of this act, one reviewer writes,
"Simon skillfully built comic tension from the sharp contrast between the
characters' declarations of pure intentions and their impure behavior. The defenses against temptation, we see from these two, are walls of sand."
Act 3 is all about family conflict. It's a daughter's wedding day, but she
has locked herself (gown and all) in the bathroom of the suite, refusing to come
out for the ceremony. Her formally dressed mother and father attempt to
deal with the situation, and as they argue it becomes clear -- the daughter has
barricaded herself because she fears becoming just like her parents.
Cast
| Bellhop/Waiter |
Mike Cha |
| Maid |
Laura Brandt |
| Act One |
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| Sam |
Jim DeLisle |
| Karen |
Kathy Behling |
| Jean |
Sara Grunseth |
| Act Two |
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| Muriel |
Debra Gustafson |
| Jesse |
Tim Curtis |
| Act Three |
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| Norma |
Joan Hay |
| Roy |
Steve Hay |
Crew
| Director |
Mary Hubbard Nugent |
| Producer |
Linda Kouzes |
| Set Designer/Artist |
Jim Hay |
| Set Construction |
Steve Hay, Mike Bell, Wendy Koenhke, and
Lakeland Players members |
| Costumes |
Sue Bell |
| Props |
Debra Gustafson and Babs Henschel |
| Ticket Manager |
Beth Sukala |
| Program |
Debra Gustafson |
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