Broadway Theater Review: Plaza Suite with Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick

Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker in Neil Simon's Plaza Suite (Photo by Joan Marcus)

UPDATE

SARAH JESSICA PARKER TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID TOO. SHOW APRIL 7 IS CANCELLED. CHECK with the Box Iffice for further information on upcoming performances.

Plaza Suite

By Neil Simon

Directed by John Benjamin Hickey

Hudson Theatre

Through June 26, 2022

By Lauren Yarger

Sarah Jessica Parker and real-life husband Matthew Broderick are back together on a Broadway stage for the first time in more than 20 years when they starred in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Sign me up! I wasn't disappointed as the couple has a chance to display their comedic chops in Neil Simon's Plaza Suite getting a limited revival at the Hudson Theatre -- the first revival of the playwright's work since his death in 2018.

Parker and Broderick play three different couples who, during different times in 1968 and 1969, stay in suite 719 at New York's Plaza Hotel (John Lee Beatty's elegant, subtle-toned set design brings applause). Despite hearing complaints that Simon's script is dated, I found that most of the humor holds up and that except for some derogatory comments about women, some decades-old jokes are made funnier by the audience's informed knowledge. Funny is funny, after all, regardless of the time it is experienced -- Simon didn't achieve fame writing more then 30 plays and books for musicals and receive a Pulitzer for nothing -- and both Parker and Broderick don't disappoint either, under the direction of John Benjamin Hickey. 

Parker distinguishes herself as a solid comedic actress, delivering lines with expert timing and delighting with moments of hysterical physical comedy. The depths of feelings of a woman being betrayed by her husband, a woman longing for the love of her youth and a mother facing the reality that her daughter doesn't want to turn out like her all get full development as well.

Broderick, while somewhat more reserved, gets a few moments of physical comedy as well. His being attacked by birds while on a ledge outside the suite's window (thanks to superb lighting by Brian MacDevitt) has the audience roaring. He also transforms from a boring, stuffy character to a nerdy, silly guy with ease. But whereas Parker indwells the humorous characters and lines, Broderick, who incidentally, won his first Tony Award for creating the role of Eugene Jerome in Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs, simply delivers his.

 

Adding some dimension to the action between the couples are additional actors playing visitors who stop by the suite:  In act one, Eric Wiegand and Danny Bolero play a bellhop and waiter, respectively, and Molly Ranson is the secretary having an affair with Broderick's character. Bolero returns as a waiter in act two and in the third act, Ranson is the couple's daughter, reluctant to go through with her wedding to Wiegand's character. A 20-minute intermission separates the first two acts and a brief pause follows the second act.

The play ultimately is a serious study of relationships and not all of them fall on the side of happy, despite Simon's comedic technique. Plaza Suite had been scheduled to open on Broadway in 2020 just days before Covid shut down all of Broadway. And now, just days after returning to open 2022, Broderick is out of the show until April 15 after testing positive for the virus. Understudy Michael McGrath is playing Broderick's roles.

If you are picking and choosing shows this year, add this one to your list, especially if you have a chance to see Parker and Broderick together.  The limited run is scheduled through June 26. Tickets and performance information at plazasuitebroadway.com.

Additional credits:

Jane Greenwood (costume design), Scott Lehrer (sound design),  Marc Shaiman (incidental music).

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FACTORS:

-- Derogatory terms about women

-- God's name taken in vain

-- Adultery

Theater COVID POLICY:

When you arrive at the Hudson Theatre, guests age 12 and older will need to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO approved COVID-19 vaccine AND present a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport (guests 12-18 may use a government-issued ID or school ID – no photo required), as well as wear a mask inside unless actively eating or drinking.

“Fully vaccinated” means on the date of the performance a guest is at least 14 days after their second dose of a two dose COVID-19 vaccine OR at least 14 days after their single dose of an approved single dose COVID-19 vaccine.

For international guests, TWO doses of any “mix and match” combination of an FDA or WHO approved COVID-19 vaccine are acceptable.

Guests under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult and provide proof of one of the following:

• • Full vaccination; or
• • A negative COVID-19 PCR test performed by a medical provider within 72 hours of the performance start time. The test results must clearly show the date and time of the test; or
• • A negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test taken within 6 hours of the performance start time. The test results must clearly show the date and time of the test. Tests administered by a medical professional are preferred and will guarantee entry, though over-the-counter, app-base testing kits will be accepted if they clearly provide the date/time of the test results.