NEIL SIMON’S PLAZA SUITE AT TOWNGATE THEATRE

WHEELING, W.Va. (October 27, 2009)- -One of Neil Simon's funniest and best loved comedies, “Plaza Suite” will be staged for two weekends – November 6 –9 and November 12-14 at Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre.

Simon's early devotion to short, sketch-like comedy, from his years writing for television during the peak of the variety show era, is apparent in “Plaza Suite,” which consists of three one-act plays, grouped together by their shared location -- a luxurious suite at the legendary Plaza Hotel on Central Park in New York City. Hilarity abounds as we watch the adventures of the occupants, one after another, as they occupy the same suite (at different times, of course) at this famous hotel.

The first act introduces the audience to not-so-blissfully wedded couple Sam and Karen Nash, who are revisiting their honeymoon suite in an attempt - by Karen - to bring the love back into their marriage. Her plan backfires, and the two become embroiled in a heated argument about whether or not Sam is having an affair with his secretary. This wry tale of a marriage in tatters is followed by a meeting between visiting Hollywood producer Jesse Kiplinger and his old flame, suburban housewife Muriel Tate. Muriel - aware of his reputation as a smooth-talking ladies' man - has come for nothing more than a chat between old friends, promising herself she will not stay too long. Jesse, however, has other plans in mind and repeatedly attempts to seduce her. The third act revolves around married couple Roy and Norma Hubley on their daughter Mimsey's wedding day. In a rush of nervousness, Mimsey has locked herself in the suite's bathroom and refuses to leave. This is the most comic of the acts, filled with increasingly outrageous slapstick moments depicting her parents' frantic attempts to cajole her into attending her wedding while the gathered guests await the trio's arrival downstairs.

Each story is distinctly different---sometimes sarcastic, sometimes sentimental, sometimes racy, sometimes thoughtful -- but always, always, funny. “Plaza Suite” is one of those evenings of pure pleasure in the theater.

Cast members for Towngate’s production of “Plaza Suite” are: Cathie Spencer, Rob DeSantis. Jim Mullooly, Brittany Harriman, Bob Lane, Lola Miller, Nancy Longo, Frank Wilson and James Long.

Towngate’s curtain is at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday November 6 and 7 and 2 p.m. November 8. Curtain is at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday November 12-14.

Call the Stifel Fine Arts Center at 304.242.7700 to reserve seats. For those buying seats at the door, Towngate’s box office opens one hour before all shows and can be reached at 304.233.4257.

Refreshments are available at Towngate Theatre and parking is curbside or in the nearby Center Wheeling Parking Garage. Located at 2118 Market St., Wheeling, Towngate is easy to find and located just across the street from St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in the historic Centre Market district of Wheeling.

This program is made possible through the generous support of the members of the Institute as well as with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the WV Commission on the Arts.