The was abuzz with activity Sunday afternoon as the Village Players were in final preparations for their upcoming performances of Neil Simon’s "Plaza Suite."
The show, which starts Friday evening, is broken into three acts - Visitor From Mamaroneck, Visitor from Hollywood and Visitor from Forest Hills - all of which take place in suite 719 of New York’s famed Plaza Suite Hotel in the 1960s, according to the show’s director, Jacki Green.
“A lot of people who have been in relationships can can relate to the characters in the acts,” Green said. “There’s a little something for everybody, I guess.”
Ron Green, the actor who plays Roy Hubley in the third act, said the comedy also has elements of drama too.
For Elkins Park resident and actress Kim Breslin, who plays Roy’s wife, Norma Hubley, Plaza Suite is a return to her acting roots.
Early in her acting career, about 30 years ago in a theater in Toms River, N.J., Breslin played the role of Mimsey, Roy and Norma’s daughter who has locked herself in the suite's bathroom on her wedding day.
Breslin said one of the biggest differences between Mimsey and Norma’s roles is the amount of lines.
“There’s a lot more lines to remember,” she said with a laugh. “But this is really great. It’s a full-circle moment for me.”
Philip Seader will be making his leading man debut playing a cheating husband in the first act of the play.
“My character, Sam Nash, is not a guy that you want to like but he is somewhat relate-able,” said Seader. “Even if you don’t find yourself in the same situation as the characters, it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
The Pottstown resident said he is looking forward to his role and added with a smile, “Even if I’m terrible, at least the script is fantastic.”
Actor John Manning, who plays the role of film producer Jesse Kiplinger in the second act, offered more advice: “As long as you know your lines you’re golden.”
"Plaza Suite" was first performed on Broadway in early 1968 and ran until 1970. The play was adapted into a feature film in the early 1970s and later a television movie starring Carol Burnett in 1988.
Just in time for "Plaza Suite," the theater installed a new 36,000 BTU ductless air-conditioning system, according to a post online. , putting the future of summer shows in doubt.
The Village Players of Hatboro are still collecting money to place additional units in the building. The new cooling units can be individually controlled which will result in lower energy usage.
Tax-deductible contributions for the air-conditioning fund can be made to the theater online or by sending a check to The Village Players of Hatboro, ATTN: Donations, PO Box 444, Hatboro, PA 19040
If you go
Check out for more information on show times and buying tickets for "Plaza Suite."
Great story. Thanks! Also, probably the best pictures I've ever seen of our playhouse. I loved the shots from the lights and sounds booth. The wall tells quite a story!