Neil Simon
Neil Simon
#1Neil Simon
Posted: 5/29/16 at 12:28am
It's been years since Doc had a play produced either on Broadway or even Off-Broadway.
He's certainly getting up there in age and curious if any of his shows are being thought about for a revival OR if he has a brand new play hidden away somewhere that is calling for it to be produced
I would imagine this is the longest stretch of time that there hasn't been a Neil Simon play produced on Broadway - or even off like Manhattan Theater Club did with Rose's Dillema
#2Neil Simon
Posted: 5/29/16 at 12:33am
I was just going to respond and say that Brighton Beach Memoirs was just revived, but I guess that was over 7 years ago now! Scary how time flies. Laurie Metcalf was excellent in that. Disappointed we were denied Broadway Bound.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#3Neil Simon
Posted: 5/29/16 at 12:36am
I was so disappointed that Brighton Beach?Broadway Bound got scrapped - I had tickets to both but sad that it closed so quickly - If i remember correctly, Broadway Bound didn't even make it to having a preview.
#4Neil Simon
Posted: 5/29/16 at 12:36am
I was so disappointed that Brighton Beach?Broadway Bound got scrapped - I had tickets to both but sad that it closed so quickly - If i remember correctly, Broadway Bound didn't even make it to having a preview.
#5Neil Simon
Posted: 5/29/16 at 12:40am
I had a ticket to the first preview of Broadway Bound and never got to see it. The scheduling didn't make much sense as Brighton Beach previewed and opened before Broadway Bound even had a scheduled preview. They should have previewed them both in rep like The Norman Conquests or Wolf Hall did and then opened them together.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
After Eight
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
#6Neil Simon
Posted: 5/29/16 at 6:14am
Lost in Yonkers was revived on Theatre Row off-Broadway four years ago. Simon also wrote the books for Little Me, Sweet Charity, and Promises, Promises. Little Me was done at Encores in 2014. Next year, we're promised an off-Broadway revival of Sweet Charity.
It's sad what has happened to the theatre since Neil Simon's heyday. I prefer his earliest works to the later ones. They summon up the happiest of memories.
The Other One
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/1/08
#7Neil Simon
Posted: 5/29/16 at 6:35am
The world has changed so much since his heyday. Revivals of Barefoot In The Park, The Odd Couple and Brighton Beach Memoirs (which I saw and loved) were disappointments in the '00 decade. This seems to have put the kabosh on any other revivals, at least for now.
After Eight
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
#8Neil Simon
Posted: 5/29/16 at 6:49am
^
The revivals of Barefoot in the Park and The Odd Couple were so misconceived and/or badly done. It was painful to watch both, especially Barefoot. It simply was not the play as it was, is, or should be.
And that is the problem with wishing for revivals. If the creatives have no real feel for the material, no knowledge or understanding of the spirit of the play or the era in which it was written, then the outcome will be lamentable.That's why I cringe when I hear of proposed revivals of cherished works of the past. How likely is it that they would be done right? I would much rather they lie in sweet repose than be dredged up and mucked up.
The Other One
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/1/08
#9Neil Simon
Posted: 5/29/16 at 2:56pm
I did not see those two. Brighton Beach Memoirs was wonderful, but there was, sadly, no interest.
#10Neil Simon
Posted: 5/29/16 at 2:59pm
It's difficult to imagine folks paying $150+ to see what are essentially extremely well crafted sitcoms. Obviously there are a few of his plays that register deeper than that... but... going to the theater is now an expensive event... and I think people might be concerned they're not getting they're money's worth.
He's still done quite frequently and successfully in places where the ticket prices don't require a credit check or cosigner.
Jesus saves. I spend.
#11Neil Simon
Posted: 5/29/16 at 3:00pm
Didn't his wife cause a bit of controversy the last time he had a show off-Broadway? I seem to remember something about her showing up at the theater to give notes to the lead actress.
morosco
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/10/04
#12Neil Simon
Posted: 5/29/16 at 5:29pm
Reportedly Mary Tyler Moore quit the Broadway production of Neil Simon's ROSE'S DILEMMA after the playwright sent his wife, Elaine Joyce, backstage with a note telling Ms. Moore to "learn your lines". .
After Eight
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
AnnieBlack
Leading Actor Joined: 4/3/14
#14Neil Simon
Posted: 5/29/16 at 7:43pm
I grew up in Queens in the late 70s, 80s, and remember my parents religiously going to Neil Simon shows. I saw Lost in Yonkers as my first show and loved- Kevin Spacey was even more memorable than Mercedes Ruehl (who was incredible too). I was so looking forward to the Brighton Beach / Broadway Bound rep project- saw Brighton Beach in the second week of previews and there were literally no laughs. It was the one of the oddest theatrical experiences ever. I honestly couldn't figure out how the humor was removed from the production.
#16Neil Simon
Posted: 5/29/16 at 11:14pm
I remember reading about a workshop of Rumors mot too long ago - with Andrea Martin maybe? Never saw that show and honestly don't know too much about it.
Fond memories of seeing They're Playing Our Song (first touring show) Brighton Beach, Jalkes Women, Laughter On The 23rd Floor and the LA tryouts of Proposals, Odd Couple (i think this was a revision that Simon did) Rose and Walsh....
What play would get produced? Maybe Lost In Yonkers directed by Ivo Van Hove or Sam Gold? Broadway Bound?
#17Neil Simon
Posted: 5/30/16 at 2:30am
Is anyone else fond of Gods Favorite? It's arguably his least known play, and when originally produced on Broadway it flopped. I did the show a few years ago and found it delightful. I think it would be the perfect thing to revive as a star vehicle for a film actor to break into the theatre world.
After Eight
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/09
#18Neil Simon
Posted: 5/30/16 at 6:14am
^
I can't say I was overly fond of God's Favorite. It came off as labored, even with Charles Nelson Reilly laboring mightily to get laughs.
I did like Fools, though, which also had a brief run. I remember laughing quite a bit at that one.
