Chasing Phantom

#107: Plaza Suite

January 24, 2024 David Timberline Season 1 Episode 20
#107: Plaza Suite
Chasing Phantom
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Chasing Phantom
#107: Plaza Suite
Jan 24, 2024 Season 1 Episode 20
David Timberline

We start off 2024 with an old show that has surprising relevance today because of a very recent -- and somewhat confounding -- revival. "Plaza Suite" first premiered back in Neil Simon's imperial period when his shows were selling out before people even knew what they were about. Three vignettes that share a setting -- the same suite at the Plaza Hotel in NYC -- and a jaded view of American coupledom. It's a lot of dark stuff...when it's not downright uncomfortable.

Rich Griset once again joins the podcast to try to figure out what about this show might compel Matthew Broderick and Sara Jessica Parker to commit to it. It seems one motivation was clearly financial: the production ended up making nearly $30 million on Broadway. Is it just star power that is bringing people in or something more about this very (VERY) dated material? Listen to get our thoughts.

Also, please check out the recently updated website, ChasingPhantom.net, to review the movement of your favorite shows on the big list of Broadway's longest running productions. And see you back here in two weeks!

Show Notes

We start off 2024 with an old show that has surprising relevance today because of a very recent -- and somewhat confounding -- revival. "Plaza Suite" first premiered back in Neil Simon's imperial period when his shows were selling out before people even knew what they were about. Three vignettes that share a setting -- the same suite at the Plaza Hotel in NYC -- and a jaded view of American coupledom. It's a lot of dark stuff...when it's not downright uncomfortable.

Rich Griset once again joins the podcast to try to figure out what about this show might compel Matthew Broderick and Sara Jessica Parker to commit to it. It seems one motivation was clearly financial: the production ended up making nearly $30 million on Broadway. Is it just star power that is bringing people in or something more about this very (VERY) dated material? Listen to get our thoughts.

Also, please check out the recently updated website, ChasingPhantom.net, to review the movement of your favorite shows on the big list of Broadway's longest running productions. And see you back here in two weeks!