Neil Simon's Love Letter To TV Comedy Writes and Fights at The Garry Marshall Theatre

A reimagined, revitalized production of Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning playwright Neil Simon's classic Laughter on the 23rd Floor marks the final production in the nonprofit's 4-Play Inaugural Season. Featuring John Ross Bowie (Speechless, The Big Bang Theory) and directed by Co-Artistic Director of Los Angeles' award-winning Celebration Theatre Michael A. Shepperd, Laughter on the 23rd Floor will play a limited run, March 23 through April 22, 2018.

Tickets, starting at $45, are available now by calling (818) 955-8101 or visiting garrymarshalltheatre.org.

Joining John Ross Bowie are Jeff Campanella, LaNisa Renee Frederick, Jason Grasl, Cornelius Jones Jr., Jessica Joy, Ty Mayberry, Roland Rusinek, and Pat Towne, creating a bustling band of joke traders and wise-crack peddlers during the first golden age of television. Neil Simon's "love letter" to his early career as a TV writer alongside the likes of comedy legends Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks, Laughter on the 23rd Floor follows the rollercoaster antics that catapult a not-your-average 1950s writers' room into the comedy fray, as they frantically attempt to please their larger-than-life boss of a weekly comedy variety show. Locked in an ongoing battle with NBC executives, who fear the show's humor is too sophisticated for Middle America, the writing and fighting of the team expose the social and political undercurrents of the 1950s-reflecting back the ongoing tensions in today's America in this updated, reimagined production.

The creative team includes Scenic Design by Alex Calle, Costume Design by E.B. Brooks, Sound Design by Rebecca Kessin, Lighting Design by Jared Sayeg, Hair and Makeup Design by Byron Batista, Prop Design by Michael O'Hara, Casting by Raul Staggs, and Stage Management by Marcedes Clanton.

ABOUT John Ross BOWIE

John Ross Bowie has appeared on television in Speechless, The Big Bang Theory, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Brooklyn 99, two CSIs, more. Film: He's Just Not That Into You, Pet, The Heat. John started studying with the Upright Citizens Brigade in 1998 and has performed in thousands of shows in their NYC and LA spaces.

ABOUT Michael A. Shepperd

Director Michael A. Shepperd is the Co-Artistic Director of Los Angeles' award-winning Celebration Theatre (CT). Directing credits include: The Boy From Oz (Ovation Award, LADCC Award, Best Director), The View Upstairs, The Next Fairy Tale, [title of show], A Gay Christmas Carol, GaGa Gardens, The Max Factor Factor. Michael is a Resident Director for The Blank Theatre's Young Playwrights Festival and numerous others. Acting roles include Fences (Troy; Ovation, LADCC Nominations), Bootycandy (LADCC nom, Ovation, Stage Raw Win), The Color Purple (Mister; Ovation award), Steel (Ovation Award), Master Harold and the Boys (NAACP theatre nom), Intimate Apparel (NAACP Award), Choir Boy (NAACP nom) and Shout Sister Shout. Broadway/Regional credits include: Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan, Little Shop of Horrors, Caroline, or Change, Whipping Man. TV: Curb Your Enthusiasm, Soul Man, Hot In Cleveland, Wizards of Waverly Place, Monk, Criminal Minds, NCIS.

ABOUT THE Garry Marshall THEATRE

Garry Marshall Theatre is a nonprofit organization providing innovative performances, educational opportunities, and storytelling activities for all ages, year-round. Located in the heart of Burbank and Toluca Lake's entertainment industry, the critically acclaimed and Ovation Award-winning 130-seat theatre was founded in 1997 as the Falcon Theatre by Hollywood legend Garry Marshall. Reestablished as the Garry Marshall Theatre in 2017, the theatre continues to cultivate new artists and experiences that spark ideas and build community.

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