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Health & Fitness

Laughter Abounds at Center Playhouse this spring with Neil Simon's "Laughter On the 23rd Floor"

"Laughter" takes you into the hilarious backstage chaos where Neil Simon, Mel Brookes, Woody Allen and other famous comedians got their start writing for Sid Caesar's, Your Show of Shows!

Yes, that’s laughter you hear. Not only is it coming from the high-rise office set of Center Players’, Freehold’s resident theatre company, current production Laughter On the 23rd Floor, opening April 12th, it’s coming from the audience, too. Inspired by Neil Simon’s youthful experience as a staff writer on Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows, this audience favorite depicts the harried writing staff as they frantically scramble to top each other with gags while competing for the attention of star madman Max Prince.  Laughter On the 23rd Floor takes a look at the backstage chaos that goes into writing and producing a show during the 1950′s golden age of television.

The production is directed by Jeff Caplan of Manchester who is known to Center Players’ audiences for his many onstage roles in Doubt, Twentieth Century, Miracle on 34th Street, Mr. 80%, and How the Other Half Lives but here he shows his true versatility keeping the pace fresh and fast as director of this hilarious comedy. Filled with nostalgia, classic Catskills humor, and colorful characters, Laughter On the 23rd Floor is led by another Freehold favorite Bill Lee of Bedford as Max Prince, who made his debut with Center Players in our 2001 production of this show. Others include Andrew Behrens (Colts Neck), Kenneth Bropson (Howell), Yvette Cataneo (Freehold), Matthew Gochman (Freehold), Bill Normyle (Highlands), Melanie Seewaldt (Ocean Grove), Michael Tota (Jackson), and Bill Rogers (Lincroft) who also appeared alongside Mr. Lee in the original production.

Laughter On the 23rd Floor premiers at Center Playhouse, located at 35 South Street in downtown Freehold, Friday, April 12th and runs through May 11th, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM with a special Saturday matinee on May 11th at 2:00 PM. (Sold Out performances include 4/26, 4/28, & 5/5.) Tickets are $25 for Adults and $23 for Seniors & Students and include gourmet desserts and refreshments. Group rates for parties of ten or more are available. Seating is limited so call the box office at (732) 462-9093 to reserve your seats or visit us online at www.CenterPlayers.org.

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