There was only one Gwen Verdon (1925 –2000). When Bob Fosse created the musical Sweet Charity and enlisted his colleagues Neil Simon (book), Cy Coleman (music) and Dorothy Fields (lyrics) to bring it to life, it was clearly a vehicle to celebrate the spectacular talent of his wife, Ms.Verdon. The musical received nine Tony award … Continue reading
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Righteous memory: Contemporary Theatre of Dallas
Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoirs pulls back a magical nostalgic curtain. It reveals a slice of life moment, in a 1937 Brooklyn flat, told from the perspective of a mature man reliving that moment through the experiences of the young boy he once was. It’s not a documentary; it’s not a drama. It’s not pure … Continue reading
Business of Funny: Laughter on the 23rd Floor
Why laughter, why on the 23rd floor? Neil Simon’s comedy, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, which opened on Broadway in 1993 starring Nathan Lane, is a love letter in play form about Simon’s days as a comedy writer on the 1950’s Your Show of Shows. Simon portrays himself as the youthful narrator Lucas Brickman, the … Continue reading
CTD’s Chapter Two: No Simple Simon
I am not much of a fan of Neil Simon’s plays, but I try to remain open-minded if I review one. Contemporary Theatre of Dallas’ current production of Simon’s Chapter Two should thrill true-blue Neil Simon devotees. Don’t let my ambivalence deter you. Simon wrote this two couple comedy with dark overtones in 1977 after … Continue reading
Picture Perfect at the Bath House
One Thirty Productions welcomes in summer with a spry production of Neil Simon’s I Ought To Be In Pictures, which explores the challenges of estrangement and reconnection in a strained father-daughter relationship. Who is the real adult here? Who’s bringing up whom? Find out at the Bath House Cultural Center . This 1979 three-person comedy … Continue reading
criticalrant.com Alexandra Bonifield 