LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR Opens At Saint Michael's Playhouse

Producing Artistic Director Chuck Tobin today announced the July 31 opening of Neil Simon's comedy Laughter on the 23rd Floor at Saint Michael's Playhouse in Colchester, Vermont. Laughter on the 23rd Floor is directed by Catherine Doherty who has directed numerous SMP productions including You Can't Take It With You, See How They Run, The 39 Steps.

Performances begin on Wednesday, July 31 at Saint Michael's Playhouse in Colchester, Vermont. Evening performances are July 31 - August 3 and 6 - 10 (8pm), with matinee performances August 3 and 10 (2pm).

THE SHOW

Neil Simon's tribute to his early career as a TV writer alongside comedy legends Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks. Laughter on the 23rd Floor follows the roller-coaster antics in a not-your-average 1950s writers' room as comedy writers frantically attempt to please their larger-than-life boss of a weekly comedy variety show.

Set backstage at "The Max Prince Show," a fictional TV comedy series in Manhattan in the early '50s, Laughter on the 23rd Floor is somewhat of a continuation of his trilogy Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues and Broadway Bound, which ended with the young narrator beginning his career as a comedy writer at a TV show in New York City.

The lights dimmed on Broadway nearly one year ago in honor of the passing of legendary playwright Neil Simon. This production is dedicated to Mr. Simon whose name was synonymous with comedy. In addition to receiving four Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, he was honored with several Writers Guild of America Awards, an American Comedy Awards Lifetime Achievement honor, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's Monte Cristo Award.

Laughter on the 23rd Floor features (in alphabetical order) B. Brian Argotsinger (as Ira), Caleb Chew (as Lucas), Jackie Evans (as Helen), William Thomas Evans (as Max Prince), Daryll Heysham (as Val), Marc LeVasseur (as Kenny), Brendan Malafronte (as Milt), Charlotte Munson (as Carol), Tyler Nye (as Brian). In addition to director Catherine Doherty the creative team includes Gianni Downs (scenic design), Anthony Pellecchia (lighting design), KJ Gilmer (costume design), Terry Lawrence (properties design, and Nick Depinto (sound design).

Saint Michael's Playhouse is an Actors' Equity Association theater company that produces its productions with theater artists from Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theater nationwide, along with Vermont-based professional actors, directors and designers. Actors' Equity Association is the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. Tobin adds "We rehearse our shows right here at our theater in the beautiful green mountain state of Vermont. Our scenery, costumes and props are all designed and built on location with our crew of approximately 70 professional theater artists."

Ticket prices range from $39 to $46 and may be purchased online at saintmichaelsplayouse.org or by calling 802-654-2281 or visiting the walk-up window in the lobby of McCarthy Arts Center. The Playhouse is located on the campus of Saint Michael's College at The McCarthy Arts Center Theater, on Route 15, in Colchester, Vermont, a ten minute drive from downtown Burlington, Vermont. For a complete show schedule and more information contact the theater box office directly at 802-654-2281 or visit saintmichaelsplayhouse.org. Saint Michael's Playhouse, One Winooski Park, Colchester, Vermont 05439

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