Theater
Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor at the Alley Stage
Mix up the television show 30 Rock and Mad Men and you will get Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor. Sounds like a modern hit, right? Well actually this play took play years before the current actors in the television show were making people laugh, it is set in the comedy variety show circa 1950s. Loosely based on Neil Simon’s work on his work with the legendary Sid Caesar it is a bumpy ride working on writing funny material. What is going on behind the scenes is crazier than any real script and that is what you have.
In the play, Lucas Brickman (Paul Gourdeau) is the impromptu narrator who allows you to peek inside this mayhem. Max Prince (Zip Rampy) is the star and paranoid comic, he is worried that not only are the suits upstairs and the communist will ruin his show, he has his own self doubts. The 23 floor in the titled is said to have come to the places where Simon spent most of his time the 11th and 12th floor.
This Next Stage Theatre Company production is funny, fast pace, and a real hoot. Directed by Rob Roy Hardie and staged on the intimate Alley Stage, Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor is a throw back to an era when the biggest concern on television was not to make a state but make people laugh and I am sure you will get lots of that.
Laughter on the 23rd Floor is rated PG-13 due to strong adult language and runs through February 23. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students/seniors.
Gus Langley, Ray Hilton, and Paul Gourdeau in “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” — at Next Stage Theatre Company At The Alley Stage.
Next Stage Theatre Company is located at The Alley Stage off of the Marietta Square (11 Anderson Street, Marietta, GA 30064). For more information and tickets, call 678.744.6398 or visit: www.nextstagetheatrecompany.com
A bonus treat this week: Are you looking for something to do on Wednesday February 13th? Come to see “The Little Dog Laughed”. Tickets are only $15 but if you buy a ticket to “The Little Dog Laughed” and “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” you get a savings.
Nothing makes me feel more like Christmas is just around the corner than seeing a live performance of “A Christmas Carol.” We have been fortunate to see it performed all over the country with highlights in Boston at the North Shore Music Theatre and now a wonderful performance at the resurrected Theatre in the Square!
The intimate theater is the perfect setting for a story this classic. Even if you are sitting in the back, you will still get a great view and feel the story just fine.
From the opening of the story, through the highly appreciated musical numbers, and a wonderful full cast finale, this adaptation is simply delightful.
The cast, comprised of some amazing local talent, is as good as they get! Some of the best and stand out performances go to Bruce Speer as Scrooge, Cindy Copeland as Christmas Past, Vance West as Bob Cratchit and how could we leave out Davie DeWitt as Tiny Tim!
After the show we talked to the owner of the Theatre, Raul Thomas and he told us this. ” This adaptation by Director Tony Smithey he has been producing in a variety of forms for 18 years. Originally written to tour in schools the running time was about 55 min. With the addition of music and dancing it now runs about an hour and a half with the intermission.
In the production Tony has done a little fleshing out to Scrooge’s relationships with his Mother, his only friend Jacob Marley and his one and only true love Belle. ”
This is a must on our Holiday Fun list so get your tickets now HERE as it opens tonight!
Three years ago one of my favorite local theaters took their final bow and closed up shop. Ever since I can I remember, I loved going to see performances at the Theatre on the Square in the beautiful Marietta Square. I can remember going to see some great Christmas shows with my parents and one of my favorites, the “1940’s Radio Hour”. Ahhh, the memories. But, it was all over in 2012.
Three years have come and gone and I spent two of those years in Boston and one in Florida, so imagine my delight to come back to Atlanta to find that the Theatre on the Square was revamped and ready to amaze again with great local talent.
We took a few minutes to get to know the lovely Roxanne Johnson of the Theatre and ask her a few questions.
Raul Thomas – Owner of Theatre on the Square
TBB: We are so excited that the beloved Theatre in the Square in Marietta is making it’s glorious comeback. Tell me about this revival, who is involved and what we can expect?
Roxanne: It was more than heart breaking to the community as a whole to see Theatre in the Square close up shop in 2012. Immediately seeing huge potential Raul Thomas; Executive Chef, Film Maker and avid supporter of all the arts, took over the theatre in September of this year. From the community he hand picked a team of top notch creative and business professionals. We all quickly went to bring this sacred space back to itâs former glory.
  Wanting to court previous supporters of the theatre we offer through our resident company standards and favorites of the community. There will also be more contemporary entertainment offered as well as concerts and comedy and other events. The former green room has now been transformed into a small film and photography studio.
  The studio is available to the community. As well as classes for children and adults. We are already working closely with Marietta Middle School and Kennesaw State University. The ultimate goal is creating a multi-cultural center bringing entertainment and education to the area through art and theatre. Â
  Information regarding what is currently running and what is coming up for us, as well as purchasing tickets can be found on our website HERE.
  After the 1st of the year we will be offering season tickets, flex tickets and reserved seating.
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