45 Seconds from Broadway opened to mixed reviews on Broadway, November 11, 2001 and ran a paltry 73 performances. Was it the time, just after 9/11? Was it Neil Simon's lack of last-minute polish? This, Simon's least-accepted play, was saved at Lamplighters Community theater. Why? Brilliant casting! And, for the most part, adept direction.
One of the reasons 45 Seconds from Broadway has been under-performed is that it is too "New York," even too "theater." Set in the Polish Tea Room (reminiscent of Hollywood's Russian Tea Room) adjacent to the Hotel Edison on 47th Street, the play features an eclectic group of patrons.
Brash comedian Mickey, played by Jim Sprague with perfect comedic timing, demands an audience when he speaks. Mickey is seen making deals with Londoner Andrew Duncan (Charley Miller), and actually sounds like a proper Brit. Mickey, who interacts with other patrons, has a savagely touching meeting with his brother Harry (Don Harmon). Harmon captures Harry, a frustrated father with a love/hate relationship with his highly successful brother. The two siblings' interplay is tough and touching.
Lee Donnelly as Rayleen, a very strange lady, is delightfully warped. Playing opposite her is Edward "Ted" W. Ewert as Charles. As she babbles through three quarters of the play, he very slowly moves from comatose to an occasional glance to absolutely poignant dialogue in the last scene. Donnelly is striking in the final scene. Lucinda Moaney, as successful actress Bessie, underplays her role perfectly—the star filled with humanity. Then there is Megan (Kim Hawkins), fresh from Ohio, following in her mother's footsteps on the path to stardom. As with many before her, she waits tables to survive. Bessie's advice pays off for the tyro actress. Hawkins is completely a convincing Megan. We all want her character to succeed.
Playwright Soloman Mantutu (the sympathetic Reggie Willis), direct from South Africa, also does a short gig waiting tables. Arleen (Connie Terwilliger) and Cindy (Renee Levine) are theater perennials, always attending the current previews, with much to say when they stop in for tea. Rene Cole and Carter are known only as Cafe Patrons. Yet both individually and together, they silently tell there own story. Tough roles well done.
Jane Harris (we've missed you) and Jeff Laurence are Zelda and Bernie, the proprietors of the Polish Tea Room. They are a perfect team. Both roles call for command and tenderness, some might even say soft-heartedness. Simon falters with a plot point that just wouldn't have happened to a couple in a very long marriage. A major plotting oops, which, however, is handled well by Harris and Laurence.
Gordon Jones's set comes right off of 47th Street. Paul Ericson and Juli Stewart cleanly light the restaurant as well as the exterior, through the four seasons of the play. Sound editor Lou Alliano's edit of sound designer's Bob Eisele, Gerry Reeves, and Mark Loveless extensive mood-setting Broadway show tunes enhances the production. Costume Designer Dee Quiroz and Gladys Rongey's props added to the overall look of the production.
Director Mark Loveless deserves kudos for excellent casting and creating a production much better than the choppy script. I would like to see a tightening, almost to the point of overlap from one vignette to another, which would add to the New Yorkish feel of 45 Seconds to Broadway.
Still, this should be on your list of shows to see. It's fun, it says a lot about New York and Broadway, and you'll see some excellent performances.
