Eclipse Theatre Company Celebrates Neil Simon

Eclipse Theatre Company's two-year celebration of the first ten playwrights featured by the company - The Celebration Series - continues by honoring the life and work of 2003 featured playwright Neil Simon with "Plaza Suite." One of Simon's most popular and celebrated plays, "Plaza Suite" details the misadventures of three very different couples as they face crucial moments in their respective lives, all in the same hotel room in the world famous Plaza Hotel. "Plaza Suite" showcases Simon at his best - witty, clever and relentlessly funny. The show runs approximately two hours with two intermissions. 

Post-show discussions with the cast will be held following the Sunday matinees on July 27, August 3, August 10 and August 17, 2008 (free with paid ticket). Eclipse will also present a Playwright Scholar Series Event, "A Suite of Simon's Suites," readings from Simon's other two "Suite" plays, "California Suite" and "London Suite," on Saturday, August 9, 2008, 2 p.m., at the Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater. Call 312-738-0704 for reservations - suggested $5 donation, which will include a post-show discussion with the artistic team. 
                                   
The event will be held at Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614. Some street parking; Fullerton El stop (Red, Brown, Purple); Lincoln #11 Bus. Discounted parking at Children's Memorial Hospital lot, a block north on Lincoln,  on weekday evenings after 5 p.m. and all day on weekends. Handicapped accessible.
 
The show opens Sunday, July 20, 2008, 7 p.m. (reception following) and closes on Sunday, August 31, 2008. It runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. Previews on July 17, July 18, and July 19, 2008, at 8 p.m. ($5 industry shows) "Theatre Thursday" on July 24, 2008 www.eclipsetheatre.com                

Eclipse ensemble members on the crew are  Cecil Averett (Sound Design), Julie Daley (Graphic Design), Sarah Moeller (Dramaturg), Kevin Scott (Co-Producer), Steve Scott (Director), and Nathaniel Swift (Co-Producer). Guest artists Joel Ebarb (Costume Design), Benjamin Herman (Stage Manager), Caitlin Mick (Assistant Stage Manager), Daniel Pellant (Properties Design), Seth Reinick (Lighting Design) and Mike Winkelman (Set Design).
 
Eclipse ensemble members Cheri Chenoweth (Norma), CeCe Klinger (Karen), Nathaniel Swift (Jesse) and Frances Wilkerson (Muriel). Guest artists Nora Fiffer (Jean/ Mimsy), Ted Hoerl (Sam), JP Pierson (Bellhop/ Borden) and Jon Steinhagen (Roy) make up the cast. 

Eclipse will conclude the 2008 Season: Celebration Series Part I with "The Autumn Garden" by Lillian Hellman (2000 featured playwright), directed by Eclipse Artistic Director Nathaniel Swift, running November 16 – December 21, 2008, at the Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater in Chicago.  
 
The Illinois Arts Council, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The Alphawood Foundation, The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs (City Arts I), The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The Mayer and Morris Kaplan Foundation, The Saints and Turner Construction Company.
 
Eclipse Theatre Company, 312-738-0704 info@eclipsetheatre.com, www.eclipsetheatre.com