Plaza Suite at The Stagecrafters June 13- 28, 2008

The final production of this season at The Stagecrafters theater, which will open on Friday, June 13th, is Neil Simon?s "Plaza Suite", which was written in 1967 and has become an enduring hit with audiences over the past four decades. In each of its three acts, comedic calamity prevails as three stories of love, lovers, laughter, crying, and frustrations, play out in the posh digs of Manhattan's famed Plaza Hotel. This hilarious romp of simmering angst and out-of-bounds anguish tells the tale of three momentous happenings: (1) a wedding anniversary getting derailed; (2) a Hollywood producer's attempts to reconnect with his college sweetheart; (3) a bride-to-be driving her parents (literally!) over the edge.

Each of these stories treats the theme of love, in all of its complicated and poignant manifestations, and is right on target to make you smirk, giggle, sigh, cry, and … laugh out loud! "Plaza Suite" is an especially tasty treat from the great humorist's grab bag. The original New York production opened on Broadway in 1968 and ran for nearly two years. Simon adapted the play for a popular film, released in 1970, starring Walter Matthau in three roles. The playwright once commented on his comedic work, "The way I see it, life is both sad and funny…. I used to ask myself: What is a [funny] story? Now I ask: What is a sad story and how can I tell it [funnily]?" Plaza Suite is an especially tasty treat from the great humorist's grab bag.

Performance dates are June 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 at 8 p.m., June 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are priced at $15.00. (Thu. eve performances "2 for $20"). Students with valid ID get $2.00 off general admission. Groups of 15 or more are offered a reduced rate of $12.00 a ticket. The box office opens 45 minutes before each performance. For reservations call 215-247-8881. The theater is located in the heart of Chestnut Hill at 8130 Germantown Ave. Visit website at: www.thestagecrafters.org