'Laughter on the 23rd Floor' to take to Kean Theatre Stage
Gibsonia, Pa. - Nov. 3, 2006 - Tickets are still available for the Neil Simon masterpiece, "Laughter on the 23rd Floor," which will take the Kean Theatre stage on Friday, Nov. 17 and Saturday, Nov. 18. Tickets are $19 or $25 each for the 8 p.m. curtain. An optional dinner theatre will begin seating at 6 p.m. Cost for dinner and a show is $37 or $43. Tickets are available by calling 724-444-KEAN (5326) or visiting www.keantheatre.com.
"Laughter on the 23rd Floor" is a look into one of the funniest rooms in television history. The play is a fictitious account of the time Neil Simon spent as a rookie writer in 1952 on Sid Caesar's legendary television show, "Show of Shows." There, Simon was locked in a room with Carl Reiner, Woody Allen, Larry Gelbart and Mel Brooks. Here, the creative genius is Max Prince and his writing staff is made up of Kean Theatre veterans: Ricardo Villa-Roger, Tom Bickert, Kristen Scannell, Tom Smithyman, Pat Shiner, Mike Regan, Champ Knecht and Teresa Trich.
Starring as Max Prince is Kean Theatre veteran Gregory Caridi. Caridi made his fourth appearance on the Kean stage in September, playing the role of Benjamin in "The Graduate." He previously appeared at the Kean as Felix in "The Odd Couple," "Noises Off" and in "Catch Me if You Can." A Pittsburgh native, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in theatre from Point Park University and has appeared in more than 30 productions.
Starring as Neil Simon's alter ego, Lucas, is Ricardo Vila-Roger. Originally, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Vila-Roger now makes his home in Pittsburgh. A regular at the Kean Theatre, he has appeared in "Same Time, Next Year," "Noises Off," "Don't Dress For Dinner" and "Catch Me if You Can." Ricardo holds a bachelor of arts degree in theatre from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He has more than 30 stage roles to his credit in Colorado and Pittsburgh.
Proceeds from the Kean Theatre benefit the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund. In 2005 alone, the Free Care Fund provided $6.29 million to patients at St. Barnabas Nursing Home, Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas and The Arbors at St. Barnabas who otherwise would not be able to afford their care. "Laughter on the 23rd Floor" is sponsored by UPMC Health Plan, an Oscar-level sponsor of the Kean Theatre; North Pittsburgh Telephone Co., an Emmy-level sponsor; and Citizens Bank and Butler County Radio Network, both Tony-level sponsors.
The Kean Theatre is open to the public and has built a reputation for its convenient location, free parking, quality entertainment and elegant setting. The theatre is operated by St. Barnabas Charities, the fund-raising arm of St. Barnabas Health System. The Health System also includes St. Barnabas Nursing Home, Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas, The Arbors at St. Barnabas, The Village at St. Barnabas, The Woodlands at St. Barnabas, The Washington Place at St. Barnabas, and St. Barnabas Medical Center. Theatre proceeds benefit the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund.
Contact:
Kathleen Brenneman
(724) 444-5530
kbrenneman@stbarnabashealthsystem.com
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