A NoHo Arts theatre review of “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” written by Neil Simon, directed by Gail Bernardi and produced by Sherman Wine and Martha Hunter running through May 1 at Theatre Palisades.
Theatre Palisades is a lovely regional theatre tucked away in Pacific Palisades and their latest play is a really excellent production of Neil Simon’s “The Prisoner of Second Avenue,” a wonderful classic of the American theatre. The play is set entirely in the apartment of Mel and Edna, an advertising executive and his wife, during a particularly fraught time in their lives.
Mel is fired, along with many other people at his firm as the company downsizes. However, he neglects to tell his wife…for quite some time, pretending instead to go to work each day in complete denial. With two daughters in college and a New York City lifestyle to support, the pressure to find another position is intense. But, in his mid 50s, Mel is faced with the reality that his career is essentially over and he has to find a new way forward. All this drama tips an already highly strung man over the edge and he has, what was typically called in the 60s, a nervous breakdown. His wife rallies around him and goes back to work herself, while he finds his mojo again. But after spending years in therapy even before this catastrophe, he has his doubts about doctors. All this while blaming everything and everyone around him for his woes and shouting at various neighbors for various reasons while holing up in his apartment brings his extremely judgemental siblings to his door, negotiating his continued treatment and trying to micromanage his life.
It’s a great premise for a comedy. And the genius of Neil Simon is on full display. But it takes wonderful actors to take what’s on paper to the audience and this group of actors is really brilliant.
They create believable, relatable and hilariously human characters. Making us love them, connect to them and be totally frustrated with them all in equal measure.
Typical Neil Simon. Interestingly this play seems just as relevant now as it ever was, we are all under pressure, all facing life-changing choices on almost a daily basis and all taking stock of our lives, and those we chose to spend them with.
Theatre Palisades is committed to quality work and great entertainment, this play is both! Gail Bernardi deftly directs a wonderful group of actors and the staging is absolutely impeccable and I highly recommend “The Prisoner of Second Avenue.”
The play runs through May 1, and Pacific Palisades is the perfect destination. Plenty of fantastic restaurants and shopping, make a day of it!
Cast:
Ashley Adler (Edna); Laura Goldstein (Pearl); Martha Hunter (Jesse); Ben Lupejkis (Harry); Jud Meyers (Mel); Peter Miller (Roger Keating V.O.) and Patricia Butler (Pauline)
Tickets:
When:
Runs through May 1
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm
Where:
Theatre Palisades
941 Temescal Canyon Rd,
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272