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EOU theatre presents Plaza Suite

Summer production of “Plaza Suite” promises plentiful laughs

News contact: Laura Hancock | University Advancement
541-962-3585 | lhancock@eou.edu
July 21, 2011
Plaza Suite

Photo by Jeff S. Press / Chuck Peters and Caite Debevec play one of three couples to successively occupy room 719 in New York's Plaza Hotel. In this scene, Peters prepares to climb out of the window and make his way to the bathroom where their soon-to-wed daughter has locked herself in. The show runs July 29-30 in Schwarz Theatre.

LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) – For its summer theatre production Eastern Oregon University opens the door into Neil Simon’s “Plaza Suite” with hilarious results.

The family-friendly comedy runs Friday and Saturday, July 29-30 in Schwarz Theatre in Loso Hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with curtain call at 7. Tickets are $5 at the door for all admissions.

In “Plaza Suite” the audience experience is that of a fly on the wall of room 719 in the Plaza Hotel in New York City, where they view the private lives of three different couples successively occupying the suite.

A suburban couple needing a place to stay while their house is being painted is the first to check in. As it turns out the room is the same one in which they honeymooned 23 (or was it 24?) years prior and was yesterday their anniversary or today?

This wry tale of marriage in tatters is followed by the exploits of a Hollywood producer who, after three marriages, is looking for fresh fields. He decides to phone a childhood sweetheart, hoping for a little diversion. Over the years she has idolized him from afar, but is now a suburban housewife and more than the match he bargains for.

The final couple is a mother and father fighting about the best way to motivate their soon-to-wed daughter to go downstairs to the ballroom where guests are waiting. “I want you to come out of that bathroom and get married!” the mother yells.

Two recent EOU graduates are teaming up to present “Plaza Suite.” Jeff S. Press is directing and Jay Laurance is the assistant director. The production is also the final light design for fellow class member Allan Sanada.

Audra Hughes and Alex Mitzimberg, Maegan Cargill and Michael Cooper, and Caite Debevec and Chuck Peters portray the three couples.