11/08/2005: "Last Chance to Enjoy a Suite at the Plaza"

It seems that your best chance of seeing a suite at the Plaza (full story below) will be to enjoy the San Juan Community Theatre production of Neil Simon's comic trilogy, Plaza Suite, in its final four performances this weekend. Thursday's 7:30 p.m. performance is "bargain night" with tickets available at 25% off the regular evening price. Full fare shows are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., with a discounted matinee at 2:00 p.m. Sunday.

The Plaza Hotel – where F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald pranced in the fountain and Eloise burbled "Oooooooo, I absolutely love the Plaza" as she danced through its corridors – was sold by a Saudi prince to the New York unit of an Israeli developer for $675 million in August 2004.

This past summer, the premiere hotel on Central Park closed its doors for renovations that will see the property substantially changed. The 805 original rooms will be transformed into a largely condominium development, with high-end retail shops and only about 80 hotel rooms on the lower floors. It is scheduled to reopen late next year or early 2007 (it's centennial year).

Alfred Hitchcock shot parts of "North by Northwest" at the Plaza, and other films have included its rich French Renaissance style. The SJCT production is directed by Andrew V. McLaglen. The full cast includes Daryl Bacon, Warren Baehr, Juliet Flint, Tina Grenville-Cagwin, Margaret Hall, Natalie King, Britton Leed, Bill Lembeck, Doug Schirmer, Susan Williamson and Hunter Wood.

This production is sponsored by Kings Market. Ticket prices vary by date and time: $12-$16 for Adults, $7-$9 for Student Reserved. $5 Student RUSH is available one hour before any performance. A private donor has made provision for free tickets to anyone needing financial assistance to attend a Theatre event. Simply inquire at the Box Office. The SJCT Box Office is open Tuesday-Friday, 11-4, Saturdays 11-2, and one hour before any performance. Call 360-378-3210, or go to www.SanJuanCommunityTheatre.org.