A full house on opening night at Avon Players Theatre was treated to an evening of playwright Neil Simon’s wise-cracking comedy Laughter on the 23rd Floor, running until March 29, 2025, in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
With more than 30 plays to his name, Neil Simon racked up many awards over his illustrious career, including Tony Awards for writing The Odd Couple and Biloxi Blues and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Lost in Yonkers. In 1983, Simon was the first living playwright to have a Broadway theater named for him, and in 2006, he received the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Simon’s writing style is largely defined by domestic comedy and one-line humor. As his career progressed, Simon began adding greater amounts of social relevance, autobiographical inspiration, and dramatic depth to his works. Laughter on the 23rd Floor is one of Simon’s later works that is based on his years working as a television writer for Sid Caesar. The entirety of the action takes place in 1953 New York City where seven diverse writers and their eccentricities are crammed in a room and racing against the clock to write a weekly comedy script for the popular variety act ‘The Max Prince Show.’
Lucas Brickman (Brandon Niemi, in his Avon Players’ debut) is based on Neil Simon’s own experiences as the new guy in his 20s on the writing team looking to make a name for himself. Lucas also acts as a narrator throughout the play and is the least neurotic among the legendary writing staff.
The senior writer of the group is Russian immigrant Val Slotsky (Mark Colley). His accent is strong, as are his political views, such as McCarthyism. Sharing Val’s passion for politics is Carol Wyman (Lisa “D” Denomme, Crimes of the Heart), the only woman in the room who wants to be seen as ‘one of the guys.’
Milt Fields (Tom Arwady) is a 30-something Jewish man with a flair for the dramatic and the outfits to match, which he uses to cover his insecurities. He is constantly self-deprecating his abilities as a writer and is quick with a quip. In his mid-20s, Kenny Franks (Matt Cason, Company) oozes golden boy vibes and is often the person Max confides in regarding the show’s troubles.
Brian Doyle (Chris Stepnitz, Farce of Habit) is a hard-drinking and hard-smoking Irishman with designs on working in Hollywood for MGM. That is, once he writes a script and sends it to them. He’s cynical, blunt, and usually at odds with Ira Stone (Richard G. Marcil, The Night of January 16th). Ira is a hypochondriac who never shows up on time, and if he wasn’t so good at his job, the other writers would strangle him.
Attempting to keep this rag-tag group in line is Helen (Lori Smith, First Date), the quintessential secretary. She is kind with dreams of joining the ranks of comedy writers, but sadly, she doesn’t have a funny bone in her body.
And then there is the man of the hour, Max Prince (Benjamin Feliciano), who is larger-than-life in personality and stature. Feliciano plays the role in such a way that it reminded me of ‘The Great One,’ Jackie Gleason. Feliciano doesn’t just enter the room; he fills the room. Max has a brilliant madness to him, fueled by talent, alcohol, and pills. While he is hard-working and a comedic genius, he is also prone to bouts of paranoia.
What starts as just another week of trying to put a show together quickly turns into panic as Max tells the writers that NBC wants to ‘trim the fat’ on the show, which includes the budget, airtime, and writers. Even though ‘The Max Prince Show’ has enjoyed great success, the entertainment industry is beginning to evolve past comedic variety shows in favor of sitcoms like “Leave it to Beaver” and “Father Knows Best.” Max does everything he can to keep NBC from cancelling the show, to the point of his financial ruin and a mental breakdown. His team is at the top of their game and still have much to give, but viewers are no longer interested.
While the popularity of variety shows may be a thing of the past, what is relevant are the topics tackled in Laughter on the 23rd Floor. For example, censorship and race. At one point, Carol asks, “Hasn’t America progressed beyond the racial jokes?” To which everyone replies in unison, “No!” In this play, any subject can be turned into a punchline, and wisecracks fly around the room faster than a boomerang.
Laughter on the 23rd Floor is also the type of play where body language speaks as loudly as the dialogue, and the entire cast is in sync. Some of the jokes will land better for certain age demographics, but comedy is timeless, and you will find yourself laughing throughout the entire show. Thanks to the collective efforts of those behind the scenes and onstage, I felt like I was watching a sitcom from the ’50s. Every single actor does an outstanding job bringing Neil Simon’s vision to life. If laughter is considered the best medicine, consider this review your prescription for enjoying a night of great comedy.
This performance runs approximately two hours with a 15-minute intermission, and this production does contain some adult language.
Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor is directed by Marlaina Jurco, who also serves as producer, along with Mark Palmer. Costume design is by Jenn Combs, and lighting design is by Marlaina Jurco, with Pamela Plewa on properties and Jeff Stillman as set designer. Hair, makeup, and wig design is by Lana Brusokas-Hastings and Kelly Miller. Mark Palmer serves as sound designer.
Tickets for all shows are $28. Call 248-608-9077 for tickets or order online at www.AvonPlayers.org. Discounts on group rates are available by calling the box office. “Like” Avon Players Theatre on Facebook for special offers on tickets. All major credit cards are accepted. Reserve your seat for one of the following performances:
- Saturday, March 15, 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, March 16, 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, March 21, 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, March 22, 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, March 23, 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, March 28, 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, March 29, 8:00 p.m.
About Sarah Hovis