Getting Hitched at the Plaza

Notable Weddings and Receptions of the 1960′s at the Plaza Hotel: Patricia Kennedy and Peter Lawford – April 24, 1954 Wedding (pictured below). Jean Kennedy and Stephen Smith – 1956 Reception at the Plaza. Singers Robert Goulet and Carol Lawrence – Aug. 12, 1963 in State Suite. Julie Nixon and David Eisenhower – 1968 Reception [...]

Plaza Hotel – Part 2

On November 28, 1966, in honor of Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham, Truman Capote hosted his acclaimed “Black & White Ball” in the Grand Ballroom. He chose the Plaza “because it has the only beautiful ballroom left in New York”. A brilliant setting, a select guest list, a strict dress code, and the novelty of [...]

Simon in the Park

A few of us went to Grant Park last night to see The Odd Couple on the outdoor screen – along with a thousand or so of our closest friends and some of the strangest low-hanging clouds I’ve ever seen, we sat on blankets and drank red wine and watched Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon [...]

Plaza Hotel

The Plaza Hotel set the standard for luxury hotels in the early 1900′s. The building was opened to the public on October 1, 1907. It extends along Central Park and 5th Avenue New York City. The 19 story building is the premiere hotel in New York City.

Plaza Suite – Broadway Production Part 3

George Scott had a detached retina at one point in the run and had to take nearly six weeks off the production. During this time they decided to have a British actor, Nicol Williamson, play the role. Actors Equity was highly opposed to this and finally agreed; however, on Williamson’s debut many actors picketed the [...]

And The American Playwright is …

A commenter on the last post asked if Neil Simon is “THE American playwright” – and if his prolific and successful career isn’t enough to earn that title, then whose is? Simon has certainly been one of the most, if not the most, popular and well-known playwrights in America – between Broadway revivals, summer rep [...]

Plaza Suite – Broadway Production Part 2

With baseball season in full swing and the Cubs (and the White Sox…..) in first place in their respective divisions I’ll tip my hat to the teams with a little anecdote about the Broadway Show League softball tournament. George C. Scott, who played the lead in the original Broadway production of Plaza Suite, played for [...]

Plaza Hotel – Part 2

Beatle-mania struck the United States in full force in the 1960′s. Starting with their first American appearance in New York City in 1964. They stayed at the Plaza Hotel during this time and made appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, gave a press conference and partied at the Peppermint Lounge and the Playboy Club. During [...]

Plaza Suite update

I’m sorry for the pathetically slow blogging recently – I keep thinking tomorrow’s going to be the day when I get caught up and find a few minutes to post something, and then tomorrow shows up and turns into today before suddenly becoming yesterday. You know what I mean, right? So I have just a [...]

Plaza Suite first read through

The first rehearsal for Plaza Suite is this Saturday, and we’re opening the doors to our rehearsal to give subscribers and friends a look into the beginning of the process. There are still some seats available – if you’re interested in joining us, give us a call at 312-738-0704 or send me an email. We’ll [...]