45 Seconds from Broadway – November 2011

The Cast of 45 Seconds from Broadway (more pictures at the bottom of the page.)

Enjoy some of the photos of the Performance.

BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE OLD PROS ’45 SECONDS FROM BROADWAY’
by Ellen Van Houten

Twelve of The Old Pros’ finest actors appear in its Nov 18^th through 20th main stage production, Neil Simon’s hilarious comedy, ’45 Seconds from Broadway.’ They play quirky, eccentric take-to-your heart characters that inhabit the interwoven stories Neil Simon spins about the Broadway theatre people he knows so well. But there is another character in this play, a character around which the entire play revolves—the New York City coffee shop just 45 seconds walking distance from Broadway. Inspired by the real Edison Hotel lobby coffee shop, it provides a gathering place, a second home for all manner of theatre people—producers, investors, agents, actors, writers, standup comics—be they successful, wannabes or has-beens alike. Indeed, it also provides the time-honored job of waiter for the penniless aspiring who wait for a break.
While the director, actors and stage managers rehearse, the crew and production staff work equally hard to bring about the physical reality that will reflect the warmth and attraction of the location.

The set is designed and brought to life by a crew of planners, builders, painters and detail artists, enhanced by lighting and sound, and realistically dressed with furniture and props that are painstakingly collected or made from scratch. An interesting factor about the set is that no nails are allowed, only screws; so components can be disassembled without damage and re-used.

Costumes are designed, cast measurements taken and garments sewn for costumes, including hairpieces and makeup, which must match the character created by the actor. Sometimes a costume also becomes a character in and of itself. A patchwork fur coat inspires these comments from other characters: “With that coat she cleaned out the Bronx Zoo,” “I’ve seen that coat. It’s from The Lion King.”

Publicity goes into high gear with research, interviews, press releases and photographs, posters and flyers. Programs are created; tickets printed; ushers assigned and instructed. Keeping track of all these tasks falls under the purview of Producer Ben Holtman, who will also assure that everything done is faithful to the overall vision of the Director, Sheila Bialka.

Members of the ’45 Minutes from Broadway’ Production Staff discuss plans for the play. Seated from right to left: Sheila Bialka—Director, Ellen Van Houten—Publicity, Bill Brown—Set, David Dearing—Set. Standing from right to left: Ben Holtman—Producer, Anne Nagle—Asst. Stage Manager, Dan Border—Set, Ted Christensen—Set.

OLD PROS STAGES NEIL SIMON COMEDY

In the noteworthy tradition of „The Gin Game,‟ „Shakespeare’s Lovers in Midsummer,‟ „12 Angry Jurors,‟ „See How They Run‟ and „One Flew Over the Cuckoo‟s Nest,‟ The Old Pros stages Neil Simon’s hilarious comedy, ‟45 Seconds from Broadway,‟ as its November 18th -20th main stage production. The play is filled with witty dialogue, funny one-liners and fascinating stories revolving around the eccentric Broadway theatre people Neil Simon knew and loved who met in a gathering place—a little coffee shop located just 45 seconds from Broadway—hence the title of the play. From the author to the director to the actors and crew, The Old Pros presents experienced veterans in every aspect of this production.

Heralded as the master of comedy, author Neil Simon’s writing career spans 63 years with over 33 plays including „The Odd Couple,‟ „Sunshine Boys,‟ „Sweet Charity‟ and „Lost in Yonkers.‟ The phrase „Neil Simon spoken here‟ has always guaranteed an enjoyable, laugh-filled performance.

Well known to Village audiences for the past 18 years as a writer-director-actor, Director Sheila Bialka has played a major role in The Old Pros development. “My aim has been to introduce quality theatre to the residents here in the Village, which Neil Simon certainly represents. I selected this play mainly because I love to laugh, as do most people I know.”

Veteran actors of Village performances, as well as professional careers, fill the cast. Some of these include: Al Bravin (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), Jeanne Sanner (The Gin Game), Eveline Hoffman (Sorry, Wrong Number), John Perak (Richard Diamond), Carol Shallin (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn), Cheryl Baker (Lovers in Midsummer).

The Old Pros want their audiences to see that the designation „Broadway‟ stands also for plays that tell, rather than sing, a story. In this play, the music is in the words, in the stories, in the situations that will make you laugh, tug at your heart and let you leave the theatre, as Director Sheila Bialka says, “on a high note, having had a giggle.”

‟45 Seconds from Broadway‟ performs on Friday evening, November 18th , Saturday matinee and evening, November 19th , and Sunday matinee, November 20th. Tickets go on sale at the Clubhouse 3 box office on October 21st.