I found myself in New York with a free night, and no plans. I have read that the 911 Terrorist Attacks have had an adverse affect on Theater attendance, and figured this might be a good time to enjoy a Broadway show. I wasn't really sure what I was going to see, but figured I would head to the TKTS booth in Times Square and see what sounded good. Upon arriving at Times Square, I decided that Chicago and Les Miserables sounded like good choices. When I went to inquire about these two shows, I overheard two people discussing Neil Simon's new production, 45 Seconds From Broadway. "It's a Comedy" I heard them say..."it was quite funny..." My mind was set...I would obtain a ticket for 45 Seconds From Broadway.

I approached the TKTS window, and inquired about the price of my ticket. I obtained a ticket in the Orchestra Section, near the back center, for $38.00. Not a bad price, and the seats were decent. I asked where the theater was, and was instructed that this show is at the Richard Rogers Theater, just west of Broadway on 46th Street. The theater opened at 7:30, with an 8:00 showtime. The theater had a nice feeling to it, and my seat was not obstructed. Although I was near the rear of the theater, I could see quite well.

The Storyline
45 Seconds From Broadway is an interesting comedy about the intertwined lives of several patrons at a local Coffee Shop. The entire two hour play takes place on a single set, depending upon the acting and dialogue to carry the show. There are minimal special effects, no music, and very few distractions. The Dialogue is rich and funny, with a delightful array of characters. The show follows highlights the interaction of an accomplished actor, a producer, a young lady following her mother's dream of stardome, an aspiring playwright, two ladies who spend too much time at Broadway shows, an eclectic and eccentric elderly lady, with her droll husband, and the Coffee Shop owners. The natural flow of the dialogue skillfully weaves the various characters in and out, telling the stories overheard in a coffee shop.

Characters
The Characters are one of the strongest points in this play. The characters are well-developed, and interesting. The story-line creates great opportunities for comedic interaction, and develops each character in a unique and interesting way. The Actors and Actresses do a magnificent job of bringing their characters to life. The characters are believable, interesting and funny.

Sets
There is not much in the way of sets. The Coffee Shop is skillfully created, with a great deal of attention to detail. There are hand-written signs, a rope stanchion, cash register and tables. The windows and walls appear authentic. There is a Taxi cab parked "outside" during one scene, and the stage crew make it snow and rain outside. The weather effects are believable and add to the overall effect. Other than that, there is very little movement of stage equipment.

Writing
The writing is one of the strongest aspects of this play. The rich writing makes this comedy come together in a humorous yet touching manner. Neil Simon does an outstanding job of tugging at your heartstrings, while making you laugh at the same time. It is his ability to show the humorous side of realistic interaction that makes this play special.

Costumes
The costumes are (for the most part) what you would expect to see on an average day around Times Square (or in any Coffee Shop, for that matter). However, I must mention the wardrobe of Marian Seldes eccentric character. There is a great deal of humorous dialogue concerning a patchwork fur coat that she wears into the diner. The costumes she wears underneath are equally interesting. However, her coat will be the most memorable costume item from this play. Words cannot describe the gaudy, ecclectic array of fur pieces put together to make this coat. However, Neil Simon skillfully weaves in some descriptions into the dialogue.

The Critics
The critics have not been kind to this play. I have read some milquetoast reviews on this play, and am surprised that is wasn't received more warmly. I thought that Neil Simon did an excellent job creating a warm comedy that the entire family could enjoy (although the audience was mostly over-50 the night I attended).

My Overall Impression
I sort of wish that I had gone to see something else. Not because this play wasn't good, but because it was very similar to a sitcom that I could have watched on television. It was very funny, and extremely well-done. However, I only had the opportunity to see one play. I would have liked to have seen something with more razzle dazzle. I should have thought about that more, before I selected a comedy, but I was still impressed with this play. I would rate this play four stars out of five, because it delivered the goods as far as a comedy goes. I hope they play gets better reviews, and I would certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a comedy. If you haven't seen some of the Broadway musicals, you might opt for them instead. Otherwise, this two-hour play will certainly keep you laughing.

CAST
Mickey Fox....................Lewis J. Stadlen
Rayleen.......................Marian Seldes
Bernie........................Louis Zorich
Zelda.........................Rebecca Schull
Harry Fox.....................David Margulies
Bessie James..................Lynda Gravatt
Cindy.........................Judith Blazer
Arleen........................Alix Corey
Solomon Mantutu...............Kevin Carroll
Andrew Duncan.................Dennis Creaghan
Megan Woods...................Julie Lund
Charles W. Browning III.......Bill Moor


Recommended: Yes