Overview
Synopsis
It is said that Neil Simon’s 45 Seconds from Broadway is Simon’s “Valentine to New York.” Set in the Polish Tea Room (a coffee shop / restaurant based on the real life Edison Cafe in New York City), characters wander in and out, sitting down, chatting with each other, building friendships, and giving glimpses into their lives in the “Big Apple.” Bernie and Zelda run the place and make it what it is - a home away from home for everyone who enters. They also help young, starving artists by giving them food, advice, and employment. Established actors and native New Yorkers also frequent the coffee shop, bringing character, humor, and wisdom with them. 45 Seconds from Broadway is play about normal, everyday people, their tragedies and triumphs, and the small coffee shop / restaurant in which they sit, relax, and spend time among friends.
Show Information
- Book
- Neil Simon
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2001
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Contemporary
- Time & Place
- a shop/restaurant off the lobby of a mid-priced second rate hotel in the broadway theatre district of new york, (based on the real edison cafe in new york city), present day, usa
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Samuel French
- Ideal For
- Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Late Teen, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
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|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
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
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Videos
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Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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