El Portal Welcomes Simon's Prisoner of Second Avenue

The Prisoner of Second Avenue
by Neil Simon
directed by Glenn Casale
El Portal Mainstage
through May 15

On the heels of his 1970 hit film The Out of Towners Neil Simon crafted The Prisoner of Second Avenue in 1971, which had a more than a healthy run on Broadway and filmed in 1975 with Jack Lemmon and Anne Bancroft. Towners has always been my favorite as it depicts how bright and enthusiastic small town people visit and view the living conditions of New York City as less than desirable. Anything that can go wrong does and the pair cannot wait to make a fast exit. In Avenue, it's a perspective from within as New York apartment dwellers Mel (Jason Alexander) and Edna (Gina Hecht) Edison must cope with high rent, noisy neighbors, unemployment, robbery, garbage strikes, the exorbitant cost of living and trying to keep one's sanity in the process. In this new production at the El Portal, Glenn Casale's fantastic pacing as director and a superb ensemble make The Prisoner of Second Avenue more topical than ever.

During our current recession it's a lot like the 70s once more, so everyone can relate to the Edisons who just want to carve out a little piece of happiness for themselves. New York was prone to every internal disaster in the 70s with garbage and transit strikes at the top of the list, so it is hardly a surprise that Mel, who has just been laid off from a long term steady job, is losing it. As much as Edna tries to support him in his time of need, the odds of success are against her as well. And of course, Mel's obnoxious older brother Harry (Ron Orbach), and overbearing sisters Pearl (Annie Korzen), Pauline (Dee Dee Rescher) and Jessie (Carole Ita White) would do better to stay at home and leave him alone. Their interference, although well-intended, is less than welcome, as is the case with most families who act purely out of obligation to a younger sibling. Simon was at the top of his form in establishing the quaint yet identifiable humor of these characters, and their scene in Act II, first with Edna and then with Mel, is one of the funniest of this or any of his plays.

As to the cast, pure heaven! Alexander has never been better as Mel and his subtle transitions from manic to controlled are well executed. Hecht is just great as Edna, never missing a beat. When Edna discovers that the apartment has been robbed, needs a drink to calm her nerves and then finds that the liquor has been taken too, Casale has her slump and slide down the wall to the floor in utter dismay, disillusionment and disgust. It's a terrific comic moment! Orbach, Korzen, Rescher and White are all sensational. White is absolutely riveting, as she sits crying and munching on a banana she pulls from her more than ample cleavage. Another great Casale moment! Orbach's later scene with Mel is touching, and for a moment, we almost grow to like Harry.

Set design of the plain and overpriced apartment by Stephen Gifford sends the perfect message and costumes by Kate Bergh, especially Edna's business suits, are 70s fashionable.

I cannot remember a better version of this play and laud the entire team of The Prisoner of Second Avenue for a truly enjoyable production.

 

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