Park Square Fills Your Summer with Laughter in its First Neil Simon Play Actor Craig Johnson Makes his 50th Appearance at Park Square

(Saint Paul, Minn.) For a summer evening filled with wacky fun, colorful characters and classic Catskills humor, Park Square Theatre offers its first Neil Simon play, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, a semi-autobiographical romp behind the scenes at the fictional 1950s Max Prince Show. As they zing one-liners, the comedy writers work to outshine each other while Max worries about the network executives and the future of his television show.

The winner of innumerable awards, from Emmys, Tonys, Golden Globes, Drama Desk and the Pulitzer Prize, to the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Neil Simon is known as one of the funniest playwrights of our time. He began his career writing for Sid Caesars Your Show of Shows, and he worked with many of the most humorous people of his generation: Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Sid Caesar and Larry Gelbart, to name just a few. Hes used these real-life funny men to create his fictionalized characters in Laughter on the 23rd Floor.

This cast is one of the most brilliantly funny groups of people I have ever had the thrill to work with, says director Zach Curtis, who has gathered together some of the best comedic actors in the Twin Cities to bring Laughter on the 23rd Floor to life on Park Squares stage. Ari Hoptman plays Ira, an annoying hypochondriac, whose real life inspiration was Mel Brooks; Karen Wiese-Thompson is Carol, the lone female writer, inspired by Selma Diamond; Milt, whose inspiration was Carl Reiner, is played by Eric Webster; the role of Lucas, the young, new writer joining the teamreflecting Simons own experienceis filled by John Catron. Bob Malos is Val, a Russian émigré; Randy Funk is Brian, who dreams of Hollywood; and Katherine Tieben is the overworked secretary, Helen. The role of Kenny, nicknamed the Genius, whose real life counterpart was Larry Gelbart, is played by Craig Johnsonin his 50th appearance on Park Squares Stage. The man they all write for, Max himselfinspired by Sid Caesar and Jackie Gleasonis played by Michael Paul Levin.

There's something wonderfully raw and honest about this scripta comic's desperation, the need for approval a drive that all theater artists have, Curtis continues. Simon cuts right to the bone, and then covers it up, as so many comedians do, with an arsenal of jokes and retorts.

Joining director Curtis, the artistic production team includes Michael Hoover (Scenic Designer), A. Emily Heaney (Costume Designer), Michael P. Kittel (Lighting Designer), Katharine Horowitz (Sound Designer), Kirby Moore (Properties Designer) and Jamie J. Kranz (Stage Manager).

Performance Schedule: Previews open June 1 and run through June 7. Friday, June 8 is opening night, and the play has an extended schedule, running through Sunday, July 8. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. except for Sunday performances, which begin at 2 p.m. All performances are in the companys intimate 340-seat theater in Saint Pauls historic Hamm Building, 20 W. Seventh Place.

Ticket prices: Previews: $25. Regular Run $38 & $58. Discounts are available for seniors, those under age 30, and groups. Tickets are on sale at the Park Square box office, 20 W. Seventh Place, or by phone: 651.291.7005, (12 noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday), or online at www.parksquaretheatre.org.

CALENDAR INFORMATION

Laughter on the 23rd Floor

By Neil Simon

Directed by Zach Curtis

Previews: June 1-7, 2012

Regular Run: June 8-July 8, 2012

Chaos is king backstage at the Max Prince Show, a popular 1950s comedy-variety TV series. The stress of slipping ratings is eating Max alive, but his staff hurls nonstop zingers at each other and everyone within earshot. In this, Park Squares first Neil Simon production, the playwright has a ball fictionalizing his big break on Sid Caesars fabled Your Show of Shows.

Tickets: Previews: $25. Regular Run: $38 & $58

PARK SQUARE THEATRE, 20 W. Seventh Place, Saint Paul

Box office: 651-291-7005 or www.parksquaretheatre.org

2012-13 Season Opener!

Red

By John Logan

Directed by Richard Cook

September 21-October 7, 2012 (Previews begin September 14)

Area Premiere! Season Packages on sale now; single tickets on sale in July

In a New York studio on the Bowery in the late 1950s, artist Mark Rothko stares endlessly at his painting, an impressive commission for an unusual setting: the new Four Seasons Restaurant in the Seagram Building on Park Avenue. Under the watchful gaze of his young assistant and the threatening presence of a new generation of artists, we see the portrait of a brilliant, yet angry mind.

Featuring J.C. Cutler as Rothko.

PARK SQUARE THEATRE 20 W. Seventh Place, Saint Paul. Box office: 651.291.7005. www.parksquaretheatre.org

MEDIA CONTACTS

Connie Shaver, 612.308.5785

connieshaver@charter.net

Susan Berdahl, 651.767.8492

berdahl@parksquaretheatre.org

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