Past Shows: Plaza Suite

A Note from the Director

Plaza Suite is a Neil Simon play that was first brought to the stage in the late 1960s.  It has been performed numerous times over the years — and a couple of times here in the area through both the Waynesboro Players and Oak Grove Theater.    

It is played in three Acts — each act features a different couple and circumstance.  The only common threads are that each story takes place in the same suite, #719, in the famous Plaza Hotel, and that it focuses on the relationship between a man and a woman.  When various theater groups, including the Waynesboro Players, have performed it over the years it is usually cast with three different couples, one for each Act.  Well, I wanted to do things a little differently!  Not only did I decide to bring the setting to contemporary times, I also cast it the way it was originally performed on Broadway – with one actor and one actress playing the roles of all three couples!  George C. Scott and Maureen Stapleton originated the roles on Broadway.  Here on the Waynesboro stage, Lloyd Dollins and Janie Ballurio will play the three couples.

I wanted to do this for a couple of reasons.  First of all, I wanted to add a “twist” to entertaining our audiences – something a little far removed from the “norm”.  I tried to imagine what I would want to see as an audience member, and the thought of watching two actors assume different roles over the course of an evening of theater seemed like fun.  I also wanted to provide a challenge for some of our top talent here in the Valley.  Not only do we have Lloyd and Janie, but we also have Justino Palacios and Jami Lea Cook performing several roles as supporting actors.  I really think our audiences will be amazed and thrilled by the caliber of talent these four actors bring to the stage.

Neil Simon is a wonderful playwright.  His plays always bring to life such vivid characters.  One of the most endearing qualities I find in his plays is that they are generally driven by character rather than situation (although the third act of this production provides both in an absolutely hilarious fashion).  It takes a lot of talent on the part of the actors to bring these characters to life in a realistic, humorous, and touching manner.  I have long been amazed at how much talent we have in our little Valley.  This play provides me the perfect opportunity to showcase just a small portion of that.

This is a great creative outlet for me, and I am so proud to be a Waynesboro Player!

—Sandi Belcher

Welcome to Room 719

Sam & Karen Nash

Sam not feeling well

Karen, Jean McCormick (The Secretary), & Sam

Muriel (The High School Sweetheart) & Jesse Kiplinger (The Famous Hollywood Producer)

Jesse luring Muriel

Daddy's getting angry!

Notes From the Producer's Desk...

The production of "Plaza Suite" was presented on Nov. 3, 4, 5, 2005. We wish to thank all the volunteers with the Players who made this show possible. Special thanks go to Janie Ballurio and Lloyd Dollins, who artfully handled the challenging task of learning the lines and movement of a full 3 act show, each act being a different character with distinctive accents and mannerisms. A daunting task!! Also special  thanks to Jamie Lea Cook and Justino Palacios for providing ourstanding supporting characters, there again diverse and varied and a true acting challenge. The list can go on and on, and it continually amazes our organization the amount of talent and dedication we have in our volunteers!!

"Plaza Suite" was also the first production the Waynesboro Players had a chance to utilize the new sound system that was purchased to supplement the existing auditorium sound system. The purchase was possible due to a generous anonymous benefactor. It was a complete, 100%, satisfactory success. Every word was able to be heard, even all the way to the last row of seats in the auditorium. Special thanks to Board Member Craig Cavanaugh for spearheading the purchase and utilization of this much needed addition to the Players.

Many compliments have been received at the conclusion of the show.... for sound, lighting, makeup, costumes, set realization......even to the delightful refreshments available for purchase in the lobby during intermission. The first production of the Players 2005-06 season is completed and considered a success!! Keep tuned for updates as we now go into our presentation of "Pierre and Marie" . For more information, click on the show icon and read on!!!Thanks to all volunteers, patrons, and supporting businesses of the Players. Without you, we could not continue bringing and presenting theatre to our community, as we move closer to our 50th Anniversary of existence!!

October 2005
The Waynesboro Players production of Plaza Suite is moving along nicely. The show is cast, rehearsals are in full swing, different aspects of production are coming together and the set is built. Shown is the set, which consists of a hotel suite which has a sitting room, a bedroom, and a bathroom. Especially challenging to build is the balcony ledge which one of the main characters has to exit via the sitting room window, shinny along the ledge past the locked bedroom windows in an attempt to gain access thru the bathroom window due to the bathroom door being locked from the inside by a reluctant soon-to-be bride. Be sure to get your tickets now for this wonderful Neil Simon comedy in 3 acts!

The Waynesboro Plaza recently held open auditions for their November 2005 production of Neil Simon's Plaza Suite. Auditions were held at the Player's warehouse headquarters at 722 East Main Street, Waynesboro, Virginia. The roles for the show have been cast and rehearsals are now in full swing. Many of the production positions were also filled from persons attending the auditions. All Waynesboro Players productions are open to the involvement of the community, both in acting and production aspects. Anyone interested in working with the Players, both new and past participants, old or young, are invited to contact the Players via the show's website which will be continually updated with contact and production information. The Waynesboro Players is a non-profit, community theater organization which can only thrive and survive by the continued support of the community and the love of theater!