Monday, April 30, 2018

review - PLAZA SUITE - Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre

Jeff Jones and Michele La Forest Richmond
photo by Renee Ashlock
highlights from local critics reviews - (click link at bottom of each review to read complete review)

Click here for more information on this production that runs through June 3rd.

"The plays of Neil Simon feature layered characters, unique situations, and an abundance of well-crafted comical dialogue. His 1968 comedy Plaza Suite, which is a perfect blend of all of these elements, is a series of three one-act plays all set in the same hotel suite. It's funny but also a poignant examination of the many phases of marriage. Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre's production features a very good cast and concise direction that result in an incredibly solid production of Simon's classic comedy....The cast all are very good in walking the fine line between the comedy and drama while beautifully portraying these multi-dimensional characters that Simon so expertly wrote. Angela Kabasan is heartbreaking as Karen, the vulnerable and sentimental wife ..Wade Moran is stoic and serious as Sam, the overworked husband who is suffering a midlife crisis. ..Jeff Jones has the perfect devilish demeanor for Jesse, the successful Hollywood producer who is trying to seduce his former flame but finds the moves he puts on her do not always go as planned. Michele La Forest Richmond is an absolute knock-out as Muriel, the flighty, giggly woman who follows Jesse's career and secretly wonders what her life would have been like in California if they were still together. ..The final act features Mary Pat Wallace and Mark Hackmann as the frazzled parents of the bride who locks herself in the bathroom. ..Director KatiBelle Collins does a splendid job in getting performances from her cast that are infused with comedy that never goes too over the top, along with many moving and emotional moments that touch upon the realistic impact of the ups and downs of romance. ...Desert Stages' production is funny and charming while also doing justice to the beauty of the intelligence of Simon's script.. " -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)

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