Overview
Synopsis
Plaza Suite portrays three couples who each occupy Suite 719 at the Plaza Hotel at different stages throughout the year. First up, is a suburban couple who have come to the hotel to celebrate their 24th wedding anniversary...or is it their 23rd? Or is it actually their anniversary at all? They are succeeded by a Hollywood hotshot who has returned to New York to seek out his (now married) high school girlfriend. After three doomed marriages, he is eager to remind himself of the sweet innocence of a suburban woman...with a little sexual diversion along the way. However, her obsession with Hollywood and overindulgence in the vodka stingers gives him more than he bargained for. Finally, the suite is occupied by a couple who are about to celebrate the wedding of their daughter...if they can get her out of the bathroom. Tension rises and tempers flare as all their attempts to get her to unlock the door fail. Neil Simon’s witty and piercing observation of love, marriage, and contentment offers a unique challenge for two talented actors to play three very different couples.
Show Information
Context
Neil Simon, often dubbed “Broadway’s most successful playwright,” was known for blending sharp comedy with poignant insights into human relationships. By the late 1960s, Simon had already established himself with hits like Barefoot in the Park and The Odd Couple. His writing often revolved around ordinary people caught in extraordinary, yet relatable, personal situations. Plaza Suite, which premiered on Broadway in 1968, showcased Simon’s signature humor while also delving into themes of
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Act One
One late winter afternoon, Karen Nash arrives at Suite 719 of the Plaza Hotel, New York City. She is amazed by the changes in the city and keeps the bellhop waiting while she double (and triple) checks that she is in the correct room as this was the place she spent her honeymoon 24 years ago. Ordering a bottle of champagne, she hastily gets ready for her husband but she has only managed to remove one galosh by the time he arrives. Limping to the door, she welcomes Sam into the
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Non-singer |
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Non-singer |
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Non-singer |
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Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
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Non-singer |
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Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A Comedy of Manners is a dramatic genre that satirizes the customs, behaviors, and social norms of a particular class or group, often through witty dialogue and clever banter. It typically focuses on relationships, courtship, and social pretensions, exposing human vanity and hypocrisy. This style thrives on sharp humor and quick repartee, making it both entertaining and socially revealing.
Conceit in drama refers to an extended or elaborate idea, device, or metaphor that drives the structure, theme, or presentation of a play. It often highlights the playwright’s imaginative framework, such as using a single location, repeated situation, or symbolic image to unify the story. While sometimes seen as artificial, a conceit can create depth, cohesion, and stylistic distinction in a theatrical work.
Farce is a comedic style that emphasizes exaggerated situations, improbable coincidences, mistaken identities, and rapid pacing. It often includes physical humor such as slamming doors, frantic chases, or characters hiding in plain sight. Farce is designed to generate nonstop laughter, often prioritizing chaos and absurdity over realistic storytelling.
A vignette in drama is a short, self-contained scene or playlet that focuses on a single moment, theme, or character interaction. It does not require a full plot or complex structure, but instead provides a snapshot of life that conveys emotion, humor, or insight. Vignettes can stand alone or be grouped together to form a larger work.
Wit in theatre refers to the quick, clever use of language to create humor or reveal deeper truths about characters and situations. It often relies on sharp wordplay, irony, or unexpected turns of phrase to keep audiences engaged. Wit is commonly found in comedies and serves both to entertain and to highlight human flaws in a lighthearted way.
Videos
Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Themes
Marriage and Relationships – Each
to read about the themes, symbols and motifs from Plaza Suite and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Quote Analysis
*“Marriage is a lot like the Plaza Hotel. First it’s
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Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher