Neil Simon’s Play at the Mesquite Arts Center
We usually attend night time performances but chose the matinee for this production, mainly because we had a “family function” that night. But not to worry, the performance was still very good, as usual, and involved three vignettes that are each “set” in room 719 of New York’s PLAZA HOTEL, New York City—each involving RELATIONSHIPS.
Act I was titled, “Reigniting the Marriage,” and the husband and wife, who are staying there, have differing ideas of why they are there.
Act II was “Former Girlfriend/ Boyfriend,” and the womanizing producer wants to “get it on” with a former girlfriend (now longtime married) from years ago.
Act III was “The Wedding,” and a room full of guests are waiting for the bride and groom to make their appearance and become a “united couple,” but the bride is “balky,” as the parents try to convince her to go to the reception.
Conclusion: I will not give it away, but it is a little surprising!
Act I seemed somewhat too long for us, but the Intermission was after it, so I guess the spacing and time made sense. Act II was a “tad” long for us, but maybe that was intentional to make the conclusion seem perfect, especially since the couple marrying was so much younger than the other two who preceded them!
In our opinions, the finale was just right and a great ending to the play, probably as Mr. Simon and the Mesquite Director, Dan Rogers (a retired Speech and Theatre teacher at the college level) had it planned. And not to ruin things for folks who may see this some time later, the male of the “Wedding Duo” at the end, had been “bell hop, waiter, and scene/set changer” before becoming the “groom.”
Was this production good? Certainly it was, and we are looking forward to seeing all the rest of the shows that remain on the schedule for this season. Why not call the Mesquite Theatre and get your season tickets so that you can join us? The performances are well worth the time and expense!
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