Book Review: Laughter on the 23rd Floor

Laughter on the 23rd Floor
By Neil Simon

Aside from sticking to classical plays, twice a year my high school theatre department put on a show entitled Night of Scenes. (A night composed of 10 scenes, each 10-15 minutes long, from various plays). It was there that we could act in/direct almost any play (within reason) we wanted since we weren't purchasing the rights. We each proposed ideas to our director and she'd pick her ten favorites. During my four years of Night of Scenes, of the seven shows I was involved in, I acted in all of them and directed in six. I learned to enjoy the directing process a lot more - caring about my script and actors and forgoing memorizing my own lines for the scene I was acting in. When my senior year came, and last Night of Scenes approached, I was hesitant to choose a piece. It was my last chance - what show is good enough? Memorable enough? I chose Laughter on the 23rd Floor by Neil Simon, not because it's my favorite by him (second favorite to Brighton Beach Memoirs), but because it's just that fantastic.

The play is about a group of writers in the 1950s who work for an award winning sketch comedy hour entitled The Max Prince Show. The New York writers are quick, witty, self-depricating and incredibly different. There's Brian, the compulsive smoker who's convinced he's going to sell a screenplay to Hollywood and Ira, the hypochondriac who's convinced he's dying. There's Val, the Russian who's essentially in charge and Carol the only woman who learns quickly what it's like to speak "guy." And then there's Max, the hero of the show, who has erratic tendencies, perpetual mood swings, the desire to punch things and an absolute heart of gold. Their ongoing banter propels them through the McCarthy era, the change of broadcasting and ongoing financial woes.

My cast was just as erratic as the characters, so it fit perfectly, if not painfully. Getting them to concentrate was hard, yet when they did it was magic. They were Val and Ira and Max. And although it was high school theatre and probably not that great if I were to find a video of it today, I like to think the scene was the epitome of my theatre career. The audience laughed, the actors had fun and I beamed during that final curtain call. (And, I'm proud to say many of their actual careers took off since - one was on a popular kid's show and is in an upcoming Broadway play, one had a decent role in a pretty popular film, one is now an assistant director for many TV shows, one does commercials, and one is still a fake Edward.)

Since then I've re-read Laughter on the 23rd Floor at least every other year. But instead of reading the book to remember years forgotten, I go back to revist my friends. Not those who were in the scene (although most I do still talk to), but the characters. Those imaginary people who wove their way into my life. I find myself quoting a scene to people who've never read a play before. The play reminds me how much I love theatre. Well written theatre. And when it comes to brilliant plays - Neil Simon will always be my hero.

And as for a review? It's hilarious and deep. Fun and thought provoking. It shows the inner-workings behind comedy writers, as well as gives a glimpse of the tumultuous 50s. A short, witty, biting play that keeps you laughing until the book is closed.