The reviews are in for ‘Laughter on the 23rd Floor’

Chaos is king backstage at the Max Prince Show, a popular 1950s comedy-variety TV series. The stress of slipping ratings is eating Max alive, but his staff hurls nonstop zingers at each other and everyone within earshot.

Neil Simon's play "Laughter on the 23rd Floor," playing through July 8 at Park Square Theatre in Saint Paul, was inspired by his big break on Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows."

Critics say you'll get your share of good laughs with this well-cast production. Scroll down to read excerpts of their reviews, or click on the links to read them in full.

[image]

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Michael Paul Levin, Ari Hoptman and Karen Wiese-Thompson in Laughter on the 23rd Floor

Photo courtesy Park Square Theatre

From Graydon Royce at the Star Tribune:

Yes, there is something of a plot, but it really doesn't matter. The joy of this show is just watching the characters pitching and catching one-liners and breezing through the light nostalgia of TV's golden age. Isn't that what summer is for?

From John Olive at HowWasTheShow.com:

It's often said that a director either solves or creates his problems when he casts a play and director Zach Curtis has put together a terrific ensemble for Laughter On The 23rd Floor.

[image]

Michael Paul Levin in Laughter on the 23rd Floor

Photo courtesy Park Square Theatre

From Ed Huyck at City Pages:

Two towering presences dominate the script, and the respective actors fully inhabit them. First is Ari Hoptman as Ira, an extremely funny and extremely difficult-to-work-with writer (based on Mel Brooks), which is topped by Michael Paul Levin's absolutely mad performance of the oft-addled and more than a bit paranoid star of the show, Max Prince.

From Renee Valois at the Pioneer Press:

Director Zach Curtis keeps the action as fast-paced as the zingers, so we don't have time to linger on the darker side of plot developments. This "23rd Floor" may not leave you rolling on the floor, but it's definitely got some genuine laughter.

Have you seen Laughter on the 23rd Floor at Park Square Theatre? If so, what did you think?