LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR

RUN: September 15, 2001 - October 13, 2001

SYNOPSIS: From America's favorite playwright, Neil Simon, Laughter on the 23rd Floor is a "screamingly funny" (Philadelphia Inquirer) Broadway hit about a team of comedy writers in television's Golden Age.

Set in 1953, Neil Simon's "flat-out funniest play in years" (Dennis Cunningham, CBS- TV) re-creates the mayhem, neuroses, nonstop gags, and constant one-upmanship of a team of brilliantly funny social misfits as they write The Max Prince Show, a weekly variety program. Among the crew are Milt, the insult artist; Ira, the hypochondriac whose dream is to have a virus named after him; and Val, a Russian emigrant‚ who takes a Berlitz course so he can curse without an accent. They are devoted to their boss, Max, a comic genius, a tyrant, and a paranoiac with a heart of gold. But his penchant for tippling and popping too many pills is growing under the pressures of a rising McCarthyism, network executives, and sponsors who want him to cut back his "too-smart" show and staff so that they can chase after the Leave It to Beaver and Father Knows Best audience.

Broadway's funniest playwright writing about a team of comedy writers? It's no wonder Laughter on the 23rd Floor is "the funniest comedy on Broadway in years" (Variety).

	David Doucette as "Lucas" David Doucette is extremely happy to make his first appearance with Center Players. In his last role he played Dowdy in the OCC production of Mr. Roberts. Other favorite roles have been with Monmouth Players as John in Ferris Wheel, Ben Quade in Let's Murder Marsha, and The Officer in Neil Simon's Rumors. David is currently a student at H.B. Studio for Acting in New York City.
	Charles Deitz as "Milt" Charles Deitz left his incipient theater career in the mid-70's to focus on family and business. But the fates conspired to bring him back. Since his return in 1994, Charlie has formed a lasting give-and take relationship with the stage. Just as he brings life to the many characters he portrays, they also return sustenance to his spirit. A member of New Jersey Repertory Company, Charlie taps into comedy, drama, and musicals with equal enthusiasm. He thanks his wife Diane and their four loving children for allowing him the time to pursue this love.
	Jimi DeStefano as "Val" Jimi DeStefano is appearing in his first production with Center Players. He has, however, been involved in the theatre in New Jersey and New York as both an actor and director for many years. His favorite roles include Wally in Brothers, Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Charlie in The Foreigner, Action in West Side Story, Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple, and Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing. During the day, he is an English and Film teacher at Cedar Grove High School.
	William Rogers as "Brian" William Rogers has gone a long way since his stage debut in the 1994 NYIT production of The Nerd. Since then, he has worked on numerous shows, both on stage and behind the scenes at Monmouth Players, as well as other theater groups. William has most recently been involved with animation voice dubbing, and can be heard in video projects such as "Assemble Insert" and the upcoming horror series "Boogiepop Phantom". He would like to take this opportunity to thank his friends and family for all of their support and love.
	Tim Kelsey as "Kenny" Tim Kelsey is making his debut at Center Players but has appeared on many other area stages in Ten Little Indians, The Miser, Twelve Angry Men, Web of Murder, Frankie & Johnnie and The Sunshine Boys. He extends thanks and appreciation to David Sorin & Bernice Garfield for their help and guidance, and for the opportunity to work with such an extraordinary cast and crew.
	Sharon Saks as "Carol" Sharon Saks has performed throughout New Jersey, California and Hawaii. She trained in Hawaii at The Kennedy Theater and appeared on "The Brian Keith Show" and "Hawaii 5-0." She last performed in Spotlight Players' Gas Light, OTEP's Lost in Yonkers, First Avenue Playhouse's Bermuda Avenue Triangle and Westfield Players' The Last Night of Ballyhoo. In "real life" Sharon works for Century21 in Middletown. She thanks Center Players, Bill and Steve.
	Rebecca Flynn as "Helen" Rebecca Flynn is making her debut with Center Players and is very happy to be working with such a wonderful cast and crew. She was most recently seen as the 60+ year-old "Marion" in Eatontown Playhouse's original production of Looking Good. Other recent credits include "Shelby Eatenton" in Steel Magnolias, "Sybil Chase" in Private Lives, "Miss Forsythe" in Death of a Salesman, "Leslie Casewell" in Mousetrap, "Addapearl" in The Wiz and "B.B. Mink" in Murder is a Game. She thanks her husband and best friend, Sean, for his love, patience and support.
	Geoff Shields as "Max" Geoff Shields, a Colts Neck native, studied theatre at Brookdale Community College and San Francisco State University. After graduating, Geoff was a founding member of San Francisco's Reflex Action Theatre. He went on the perform with numerous companies in the Bay Area. Geoff played "Tyler Moss" in Crossing Delancey, Center Players' premier presentation in its new home, the Center Playhouse. After four years working and living in France, Geoff is happy to be back home in Monmouth County, teaching at Brookdale in the Speech and Writing departments
	Bill Lee as "Ira" Bill Lee Has appeared with many different theater groups around the Shore area. Some of his favorite roles were in My Fair Lady, Two by Two, Deathtrap, Run For Your Wife, The Odd Couple, Jake's Women, I Oughta be in Pictures, Play it Again Sam, Gaslight and The Good Doctor. He's glad to be working with Center Players and especially Sharon. Bill teaches intermediate school on Staten Island.
BEHIND THE SCENES:
	David Sorin, Director David is the President of Center Players, a resident of Howell and owner of Sorin Productions Inc. in Freehold. He has been producing, acting and directing in local theater since 1992. David is co-founder of Center Players, serves on the Brookdale Television Technology Advisory Board and is Chairperson of the Freehold Center Partnership's Cultural Arts Committee.

READ THE REVIEW
"LAUGHTER AMIDST TEARS"
The true Center Players' story about overcoming adversity in life and in art
TECH NOTE: How'd they do the "wall of terror?"