Neil Simon, one of the most popular twentieth-century American dramatists, is known for his comedies that often examine the tensions that can arise among family members or between men and women living together in New York. In his 1973 play, The Prisoner of Second Avenue, Simon’s comedy turns darker as he explores the devastating effect that city life can have on middle-aged couple Mel and Edna who struggle to survive day-to-day, coupled with noisy neighbors, faulty plumbing, the loss of employment and personal dignity, as well as the tension caused by living in walled-in isolation.
This play, now at Theatre Palisades directed with great skill by Gail Bernardi with respect to Simon’s witty dialogue and well-drawn characters, including New York City itself thanks to Sherman Wayne’s finely designed set, is definitely not the usual laugh fest audiences will expect. But its subject matter is so relevant to the pitfalls of aging and importance of family members in our society that no doubt everyone will see a bit of their own lives in it. Written by Simon just after the death of his wife, Prisoner of Second Avenue ultimately shines a light on the importance of loving each other unconditionally, especially when at odds emotionally.
Mel Edison (expertly cast Jud Meyers) is a well-paid executive of a high-end Manhattan firm, which recently hit the skids, causing his termination. Finally confiding in his wife Edna (Ashley Adler) after his emotional outbursts overtake their relationship, Edna takes a job to tide them over, or perhaps to also get away from Mel for a few hours. But then she too is sacked. Compounded by the air pollution killing his plants and paper-thin apartment walls making their neighboring flight attendant’s late-night parties to be easily overheard, things can’t seem to get any worse. But when they do, Mel has a nervous breakdown. Thankfully the comedy picks up quite a bit during Act 2 when Mel’s siblings Harry (Ben Lupejkis), Pauline (Patricia Butler channeling Edith Head), Pearl (Laura Goldstein), and Jesse (Martha Hunter who perfectly masters crying realistically while delivering her one-liners)show up to figure out how they can best support their ailing brother – but at what cost?
Prisoner of Second Avenue continues through May 1, 2022 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m. in Theatre Palisades Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Rd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. General admission tickets are $22; Seniors and Students $20 by calling the box office at (310) 454-1970 or online at https://theatrepalisades.org/ Vaccination cards and masks are required.
Fans of the film Hidden Figures,which follows the true story of three women who began their journey working at NASA as a part of the West Computers hired to process aeronautic data in the Space Race era, will certainly enjoy the play Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson which centers on Henrietta Leavitt, a real woman whose life and discoveries were significant in their impact on humanity’s next steps into the universe at large. After leaving her family farm in Wisconsin to begin work at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s, Henrietta is shocked to learn she isn’t allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea given the restrictions on women at that time. Instead, she was hired to work in a group of women “computers,” charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who calculates projects in “girl hours” and has no time for the women’s probing theories.
Beautifully performed by Abigail Stewart, in her free time, Henrietta attempts to measure the light and distance of stars, while also taking measure of her own life on Earth, all the while trying to balance her dedication to science with family obligations and the possibility of love. But when a family emergency pulls Henrietta back to Wisconsin for several years, how will things change while she is away? And how will she fit in when she finally returns? And what will she discover that will revolutionize how we look at the stars and our own place in the universe? Based on the true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, Silent Sky explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries and the birth of the women’s right-to-vote movement.
Directed at a quick pace by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky on Jeff G. Rack’s minimalist, multi-level set which allows scenic projections designed by Fritz Davis to transport audiences to places of confinement as well as the great outdoors, Silent Sky is blessed with supporting players, dressed to perfection by Michèle Young, who interact with Henrietta and motivate her to succeed against all odds. Her sister Margaret (Tammy Mora) agrees to hold down the family farm and encourages Henrietta to follow her dreams of literal stardom, while her fellow star-mapping compatriots, forward-thinking feminist Annie (Marie Broderick) and romance-minded Williamina (Amy Tolsky), encourage her to not only gaze at the stars but also into the eyes and heart of their boss Peter Shaw (Dalen Carlson).
Silent Sky continues through April 17, 2022 on Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. by Theatre 40 in the Reuben Cordova Theatre on the campus of Beverly Hills High School, 241 S. Moreno Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90212. To access free parking, enter through the driveway at the intersection of Durant and Moreno Drives and follow signs to the Theatre 40/Student Parking lot. Assigned seat tickets are $35, available by calling (310) 364-0535 or online at www.theatre40.org. Covid-19 safety protocols require all audience members must be vaccinated with masks optional.
