Neil Simon’s ’Plaza Suite’ to open Jan. 27 at Clear Space

To find a cure for the winter doldrums, locals need not leave the lower, slower Delaware coast as "Plaza Suite" opens at Clear Space Theatre in Rehoboth Beach, Friday, Jan. 27. Neil Simon's 1968 Tony nominee for Best Play allows audience members to eavesdrop on the three couples who, in successive acts, arrive to occupy Suite 719.

Act one brings Sam and Karen, a couple revisiting their honeymoon suite, where Karen hopes they will rekindle the love that seems to be in ashes – at best. The suite's occupants for the second act are smooth-talking movie producer Jesse, who is working hard to seduce his old flame, Muriel, now a suburban housewife, but well aware of his reputation as a ladies' man. Act three finds Roy and Norma in Suite 719, working ever more desperately to extricate their nervous daughter, Mimsie, from the bathroom, where she has taken refuge from her own wedding, which is about to commence downstairs.

Clear Space favorites Andrew Criss and Shannon Parks collaborate to bring audiences a rousing evening of entertainment as they portray each of the three couples. Criss has appeared in Clear Space's "Chesapeake," "Lips Together, Teeth Apart" and "Deathtrap," and Parks appeared in "How I Learned to Drive." Despite long and broad experience in theater, both Criss and Parks are enjoying a first with this show: "Plaza Suite" is Criss' first role in a classic American stage comedy, and Parks' first role in a Neil Simon play.

Criss says, "'Plaza Suite' is a great challenge: It offers three characters, in three small plays, each with his own style of humor. I've had multi-character roles before, but this is the most work – fortunately, it's also the most fun! It's a real treat to work on a show that is so funny. This year may well be one when everyone could use a good laugh. We will give it to them!"

Parks echoes Criss' enthusiasm. She says, "I'm so excited to be appearing in my first Neil Simon play! In 'Plaza Suite,' he's provided me with three challenging and delightful women to portray. Each is fully endowed with her own distinctive humor and humanity; I'm having a great time developing all three of these vivid roles."

Director David Button says, "Audiences are going to love 'Plaza Suite' – just as the actors and I already do! It's classic Neil Simon – witty, nuanced, a really fun show. And Shannon and Andrew each bring us three rich, fully developed characters in their portrayals of the couples occupying Suite 719. Even better, they have a good time doing it! Only our audience members will have more fun."

"Plaza Suite” runs weekends from Friday, Jan. 27 to Sunday, Feb. 12, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7 p.m., and Sunday performances at 3 p.m. Tickets for all shows are $15 to $32. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.clearspacetheatre.org or call 302-227-2270.