TLT sets auditions for “Plaza Suite”
Published 12:30 am Friday, July 17, 2015
The Tryon Little Theater will hold auditions for its season opener, Neil Simon’s Tony Award-winning comedy “Plaza Suite,” Sunday, August 2 from 3-5 p.m. and Monday, August 3 from 7-9 p.m. at the Workshop, 516 S. Trade Street.
Ah yes . . . the Plaza, one of the crown jewels among all New York hotels. And then there’s Suite 719, into which playwright Neil Simon moves three widely different couples in each of three acts: Sam and Karen Nash, an overworked businessman and his wife on their 24th (or it is 23rd?) anniversary; Hollywood producer Jesse Kiplinger and visitor Muriel Tate, Jesse’s old girl friend from high school days; and Roy and Norma Hubley, whose daughter Mimsey has locked herself in the bathroom rather than go downstairs to get married. Throw in a bellhop, two waiters, a secretary, and Mimsey’s fiancé, and presto – a wild Neil Simon comedy!
“Plaza Suite” opened at the Plymouth Theatre on Valentine’s Day 1968, and closed October 3, 1970 after 1,097 performances. On Broadway the three couples were all played by the same two — originally George C. Scott and Maureen Stapleton. In 1971, the film version came out with Walter Matthau playing all three men, with Maureen Stapleton, Barbara Harris and Lee Grant as the ladies.
But TLT director Dan Harvey is spreading the wealth by casting different actors in all six main roles. Auditions will be reading from the script. Scripts are available for 48 hour check-out from The Book Shelf, 94 N. Trade Street, Tryon.
Performances will be at the Workshop, Thursday through Sunday, September 17-20 and 24-27.
– Submitted by Connie Clark