by Lisa Panzer
Director Thomas-Robert Irwin has deftly put together a top notch show, featuring a stellar cast for Neil Simon’s ‘Laughter on the 23rd Floor’. The play, inspired by Simon’s time as a junior writer for Sid Caesar’s 1950s era TV comedy/variety ‘Your Show of Shows’ and ‘Caesar’s Hour’, follows the comedic careers of a team of wacky comedy writers and star of the show, their boss and king, the marvelous maniac, Max Prince (John Casertano). Lucas Brickman (Alec Robin), new ‘kid on the block’, replete with period bow-tie, speaks directly to the audience as the voice of the playwright during his own time as a young writer.
The only one to break the fourth wall, Brickman guides the audience along during changes as ‘the show’ rides the turbulence of changing times, from hilarious heights to eventual budget cuts, corporate intermeddling and fluctuating tastes (there were only four full time US TV networks circa 1950: ABC, CBS, NBC and DuMont).
Though most certainly a comedy – and there is nearly non-stop laughter as performed at PCS – sown within these wry seeds of humor is also the more serious matter of McCarthyism, or the ‘Red Scare’ during this era, as many artists lost their livelihoods due to being blacklisted for their beliefs whether falsely or otherwise. Although this story is set about 70 years ago, it is worth revisiting for educative purposes as well as for bouts belly jogging cachinnation!
A scene from PCS’ “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” by Neil Simon.
Each and every one of the play’s nine-character actors expressly stands out in their role, while also displaying impeccable synchronicity and spectacular comedic timing as an ensemble.
Hilarious one-liners speedily whip and wiz across the terrifically ‘50s accoutered office set (complete with writer’s names on mugs!), eliciting guffaws along with physical hijinks and crazy antics sparking giggles galore. Certain comedy scenes as enacted may leave one breathless with mirth, including when John Casertano, who magnificently portrays megalomaniac ‘Max’, combines ‘Julius Caesar’ with ‘On the Waterfront’, or demands pigeon poo on his Statue of Liberty costume causing all his minions to JUMP as they vie for Max’s attention!
The cast of PCS Theater’s production of Neil Simon’s timeless comedy masterpiece, “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” directed by Thomas-Robert Irvin.
Eric Rupp gives hypochondriac ‘Ira Stone’, who is perpetually late, a healthy dollop of zany tempestuousness, while Emily Engel imbues ‘Carol’, the sometime voice of sanity, with delightfully dry wit. Amanda Pasquini’s various expressions as secretary ‘Helen’ are adorably superb and Ryan Baber’s natural sense of satire and the absurd tangibly lights up his ‘Milt’ on the stage (a very white suit helped a little too). Alec Robin recreates a very likeable ‘Lucas’ down to his subtle body language and bow-tie, enticing all to listen and care about what he has to say, while Sean McDermott wonderfully renders a very dialectically vocal ‘Val Slotsy’. Matthew Carter delivers a passionate ‘Kenny Franks’ and ‘Brian Doyle’ is simply sterling under the talented caress of Jeff Martin. The repartee, on beat banter, rapid fire funniness and dedication of the cast and crew add up to a multitude of mirth well worth the time and ticket!
Check it out:
“Laughter on the 23rd Floor” by Neil Simon
Directed by Thomas Robert-Irvin
Remaining Show Dates and Times:
- Friday, February 2nd*, 8:00 pm
- Saturday, February 3rd, 2:00 pm
- Saturday, February 3rd, 8:00 pm
- Sunday, February 4th**, 2:00 pm
- Thursday, February 8th, 7:30 pm
- Friday, February 9th, 8:00 pm
- Saturday, February 10th, 8:00 pm
*Relaxed Performance | **Talkback
- Thursday performances at 7:30 PM
Friday & Saturday performances at 8:00 PM
Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM
Players Club of Swarthmore is at 614 Fairview Rd., Swarthmore, PA 19081
Tickets can be purchased at online or at box office, or by calling 610-328-4271
Runtime: Approximately 2 hours with a 15-minute intermission