Plaza Suite

Plaza Suite. A comedy in three acts by the renowned American playwright Neil Simon, the work is a series of vignettes all set in the same suite of the famed Plaza Hotel in New York City. Premiering on Broadway in 1968, the play was a major commercial success, showcasing Simon's signature wit and exploration of marital and romantic relationships. Each act features a different couple, all portrayed by the same two actors, navigating comedic and poignant situations within the luxurious confines of Suite 719.

Plot

The first act, "Visitor from Mamaroneck," follows a long-married couple, Sam and Karen Nash, as they attempt to rekindle their romance in the suite where they spent their honeymoon. Their efforts are comically thwarted by business calls and deep-seated resentment. The second act, "Visitor from Hollywood," centers on a high-powered Hollywood producer, Jesse Kiplinger, who invites his former high school sweetheart, Muriel Tate, now a suburban housewife from New Jersey, for a nostalgic and potentially illicit rendezvous. The final act, "Visitor from Forest Hills," depicts the frantic parents of a reluctant bride, Roy and Norma Hubley, as they try to coax their daughter out of the locked bathroom to proceed with her wedding ceremony at the hotel.

Production history

The original Broadway production, directed by Mike Nichols, opened at the Plymouth Theatre on February 14, 1968. It was produced by Saint Subber and featured the acclaimed husband-and-wife acting team George C. Scott and Maureen Stapleton in all three roles. The play was a significant hit, running for 1,097 performances and establishing itself as one of Neil Simon's most popular works. Following its Broadway success, a national tour was launched, and the play has since become a staple of regional theatre and community theatre productions worldwide. A successful West End production opened in 1969 at the Lyric Theatre.

Cast and characters

In the original Broadway production, George C. Scott portrayed Sam Nash (a businessman), Jesse Kiplinger (a film producer), and Roy Hubley (a father of the bride). Maureen Stapleton played his counterparts: Karen Nash, Muriel Tate, and Norma Hubley. The play's structure demands considerable versatility from its lead performers. Subsequent major productions have featured other notable actors; for instance, a 1994 Paper Mill Playhouse revival starred John Cunningham and Carolyn McCormick. The 2022 Broadway revival at the Hudson Theatre featured Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker under the direction of John Benjamin Hickey.

Reception

Upon its premiere, the play received largely positive reviews from critics, who praised Neil Simon's sharp dialogue and the virtuosic performances of George C. Scott and Maureen Stapleton. Clive Barnes of The New York Times noted its "bright and brittle comedy." The production was a substantial commercial triumph, cementing Simon's reputation as the dominant comedic playwright on Broadway. It was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play in 1968. The 2022 revival received mixed reviews, with particular acclaim directed at the performances but some criticism for the dated aspects of the material. The play remains a popular choice for theatres due to its proven audience appeal and efficient, single-set design.

Adaptations

The play was adapted into a Paramount Pictures film in 1971, directed by Arthur Hiller and starring Walter Matthau in all three male roles. The female roles were played by Maureen Stapleton (reprising her stage role as Karen), Barbara Harris, and Lee Grant. A television adaptation was broadcast in 1987 as part of the AT&T Presents series, featuring Carol Burnett and Hal Linden. In 2023, a filmed version of the 2022 Broadway revival, starring Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, was released for streaming on Netflix, introducing the play to a new, global audience.

Category:American plays Category:1968 plays