Like the real-life Plaza Hotel, Neil Simon's Plaza Suite will have a 2008 facelift when it opens at Tyler Civic Theatre Center on Friday, October 31. Theatergoers will be greeted at the Braithwaite door by Ray Deal as the Plaza doorman. The three stories that take place in Suite 719 will make up the second play of TCTC's 60th consecutive season of community theater.
Director Evelyn James has selected these actors to bring Simon's comedy to life: The visitors from Mamoroneck, Sam and Karen Nash, will be played by James McLane, making his TCTC debut, and Frances Whiteside. Seen as Sam's administrative assistant, Jean McCormack, will be Tilly Flores.
Playing the visitor from Hollywood, movie producer Jesse Kiplinger, will be Sean Holliday. Melonye Grant, in her TCTC debut, will be seen as Jesse's high school flame, Muriel Tate, who comes to the city from New Jersey to see her now-famous boyfriend.
The visitors from Forest Hills are desperately trying to get their daughter married. Bill Burgdorf and DeAnna Hargrove will play Roy and Norma Hubley, with stage manager Abigail MacLean making a cameo appearance as their daughter Mimsey, the reluctant bride.
Seen throughout the play will be James Caldwell, making his TCTC debut as a Plaza waiter.
MacLean and Pat Grubbs are co-producers. The play will be available for ten performances, including two matinees on Sundays, November 2 and 9.
