Are television's best days behind us? Whether you think so or not, big-time personalities like Jackie Gleason and Bob Hope are tough acts for today's stars to follow.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
Bob Frame plays Max Prince during a rehearsal of “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” a Neil Simon Play.
Bob Frame plays Max Prince during a rehearsal of “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” a Neil Simon Play.
The Auburn Players will give audiences a chance over the next two weeks to relive what some call television's glory days. On Friday, the theater troupe kicks off its run of “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” a Broadway comedy by Neil Simon.
Based on Simon's experiences on Sid Caesar's “Show of Shows,” the play is a witty, fast-paced look at the life of a show business writer. It follows a man named Lucas, who works in the writers' room for a popular NBC program and competes with the other writers for accolades from the host, Max Price. Executives tell Max that the show's humor is too sophisticated for the average viewer, and the entire staff is asked to dumb the content down for the sake of ratings.
Some of the characters are based on Hollywood's heavy hitters (Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Simon, himself) in the early days of their careers. But Director Bryan Allen Jones said there was not a temptation to model their mannerisms after those of the people who inspired them.
“You never feel that we are trying to play the exact, real people,” said Jones, who is taking the director's chair for the second time with this production. “We really felt that we have taken on the characters as our own.”
Jones, who has been heavily involved with the Baldwinsville Theater Guild, said he chose “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” for a couple reasons. While he is not the biggest Neil Simon fan, the name always draws a crowd. And ultimately, Jones said, the play's main attraction is its sharp comedic style.
That style came through for Jones in the 2001 feature film based on the play. Though he said the movie was not all that great, the distinct characters, jokes and situations from the original were still able to shine through.
“It affirmed my feeling that (the play) was extremely funny,” Jones said. “The lines are so smart and clever, one after another. It is not silly funny. It is smart funny.”
That aspect of the piece also poses a challenge. The script calls for fantastic timing and speed, Jones said, and the production sought out an experienced cast - Robert Frame as Max and Jamie Bruno as Lucas, as well as Michaela Oney and Simon Moody - who could handle those demands.
“(The play) called for some very capable actors who had to be sharpened and on top of their parts,” Jones said. “They had to be able to deliver their lines and the punch lines well, and to have that timing.”
Watching those actors succeed has been one of the most enjoyable parts of the whole experience, he added.
“When I see an actor do that kind of preparation and work, and they have added something to the character, I am sitting back laughing and just smiling,” Jones said.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go
What: “Laughter on the 23rd Floor”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 18 and 19; 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13 and 20
Where: Irene Bisgrove Theater, Cayuga Community College
Cost: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students
Info: Call 406-7435
Based on Simon's experiences on Sid Caesar's “Show of Shows,” the play is a witty, fast-paced look at the life of a show business writer. It follows a man named Lucas, who works in the writers' room for a popular NBC program and competes with the other writers for accolades from the host, Max Price. Executives tell Max that the show's humor is too sophisticated for the average viewer, and the entire staff is asked to dumb the content down for the sake of ratings.
Some of the characters are based on Hollywood's heavy hitters (Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Simon, himself) in the early days of their careers. But Director Bryan Allen Jones said there was not a temptation to model their mannerisms after those of the people who inspired them.
“You never feel that we are trying to play the exact, real people,” said Jones, who is taking the director's chair for the second time with this production. “We really felt that we have taken on the characters as our own.”
Jones, who has been heavily involved with the Baldwinsville Theater Guild, said he chose “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” for a couple reasons. While he is not the biggest Neil Simon fan, the name always draws a crowd. And ultimately, Jones said, the play's main attraction is its sharp comedic style.
That style came through for Jones in the 2001 feature film based on the play. Though he said the movie was not all that great, the distinct characters, jokes and situations from the original were still able to shine through.
“It affirmed my feeling that (the play) was extremely funny,” Jones said. “The lines are so smart and clever, one after another. It is not silly funny. It is smart funny.”
That aspect of the piece also poses a challenge. The script calls for fantastic timing and speed, Jones said, and the production sought out an experienced cast - Robert Frame as Max and Jamie Bruno as Lucas, as well as Michaela Oney and Simon Moody - who could handle those demands.
“(The play) called for some very capable actors who had to be sharpened and on top of their parts,” Jones said. “They had to be able to deliver their lines and the punch lines well, and to have that timing.”
Watching those actors succeed has been one of the most enjoyable parts of the whole experience, he added.
“When I see an actor do that kind of preparation and work, and they have added something to the character, I am sitting back laughing and just smiling,” Jones said.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go
What: “Laughter on the 23rd Floor”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 18 and 19; 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13 and 20
Where: Irene Bisgrove Theater, Cayuga Community College
Cost: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students
Info: Call 406-7435
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