Ever check into a hotel and wonder who stayed there last night? Last month? Last year? Was it a single person? Married couple? Family? And just what occurred in that very same space you’re now occupying?
Playwright Neil
Simon provides some answers in his classic comedy “Plaza Suite”, now playing at
Schoolhouse Arts in Standish. With Simon’s unique trademark style of situation
humor, “Plaza Suite” offers an inside look at three parties who at one time or
another stayed at NYC’s Plaza Hotel for very different reasons. It’s a snapshot
in time of quirky characters with idiosyncratic personalities on zany,
fragmented journeys that all intersect in Suite 719.
Act One: Sam and
Karen Nash are celebrating their “23rd or 24th” anniversary “today or
tomorrow.” Despite Karen’s desire to rekindle the romance by revisiting their
honeymoon suite, Sam’s desire is focused on work, work and work. Just when
tensions are boiling, Jean McCormack, Sam’s young, skinny and attractive
secretary, drops by with more work that compels Sam back to the office. Karen’s
joking reference to an affair between Sam and Jean turns out to be true.
Terri Plummer’s version
of Karen and Chris Roberts’ version of Sam are wonderful to watch as they
navigate all the emotional landmines through incessant roller-coaster rides of
nice-talk and heated arguments. The strengths and weaknesses of their
characters are manipulated perfectly by Plummer and Roberts, never letting up
on the push-and-pull, up-and-down, yin-yang, internal conflicts. Crickett
Cote’s brief portrayal of Jean McCormack is subtly well-played.
Act Two: Hollywood
Producer (and legendary ladies’ man) Jesse Kiplinger is in town and hopes to
hook up with his old high school flame Muriel Tate after 17 years. Muriel, now
married with children, is guilt-ridden but reluctantly accepts Jesse’s
invitation to visit and promises she will not stay long. After a drink or two -
or 10, Jesse reveals his inner feelings about his work, fame, past
relationships and his love for Muriel, who admits to her unhappy marriage and
by now has poured out her heart and soul on her way to passing out in bed.
Gerald Davis,
though perhaps a tad young for the role, is ultimately convincing as Jesse
Kiplinger. He is strong as the self-absorbed purveyor of fame and fortune,
knows how to display the precise amount of inner anger, and gently reveals his
character’s vulnerability. Mia Perron is both fun and funny as Muriel Tate,
aptly handling a wide range of emotion as she successfully transforms Muriel
from a shy, demure, proper young lady into a wilder and willing partner.
Together, the facial expressions and comedic timing are entertaining.
Act Three:
Sixty-eight guests and a bridegroom are anxiously waiting downstairs for Roy
and Norma Hubley to escort Mimsey, their daughter and bride-to-be. Only problem
is - Mimsey has locked herself in the bathroom. Hilarity ensues as the frantic
parents, desperate and under pressure with each passing moment, try everything
under the sun to get their daughter out. But out of blame, excuses and time,
Mom and Dad, bruised and defeated, torn and tattered, have no choice but to
tell the groom, Borden.
Review by Louis Philippe,
Reindeer Entertainment Group
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