Neil Simon

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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". .

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.

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?

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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.

Updated On: 5/30/16 at 06:14 AM