In an age when comedy writers are influencers and punchlines are tweets, Laughter on the 23rd Floor is a nostalgic trip back to when humor came with nicotine, neurosis, and the steady clack of a typewriter. This production captures the manic charm and underlying melancholy of Neil Simon’s semi-autobiographical play with an effervescent energy that never overplays its hand. Offering a hilarious and poignant glimpse into the chaotic world of 1950s television comedy writing, The Arctic Playhouse’s recent production, directed by Ida Zecco, brings this ensemble piece to life with sharp wit and heartfelt performances.
Set in a New York City writer’s room, the play follows a team of comedy writers working on a live TV variety show. The narrative centers on Lucas Brickman, a novice writer navigating the eccentric personalities and pressures of the team. Drawing heavily from Simon’s own experiences as a young writer for Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows, the play imbues the script with both adoration and exhaustion. The result is a layered love letter to the Golden Age of Television, as well as an exploration of immigrant identity, political paranoia, and the uneasy coexistence of brilliance and breakdown.
Laughter on the 23rd Floor is about comedy, but it’s also about survival — personal, political, and professional. This production understands that. It leans into the lunacy without losing sight of the stakes. What’s particularly resonant is its attention to the undercurrent of anxiety that runs beneath the laughter. The specter of McCarthyism looms, and the jokes are tinged with the knowledge that to be Jewish, immigrant, or just outspoken in that era was to risk the blacklist. The laughs don’t cover the tension — they coexist with it in true comic tradition.
The production’s strength lies in its ensemble cast — each member bringing depth and humor to their roles — as tightly tuned as a Marx Brothers routine. It features all the attendant comic drama as the harried writing staff frantically scrambles to top each other with gags while competing for the attention of the show’s star madman and resident storm cloud, Max Prince. Richard Griffin commands the room as Prince, delivering a performance that veers from volcanic rants to tender vulnerability in a single breath. His portrayal never lapses into caricature — a real risk with a character this oversized.
Zecco wisely lets the actors lead the rhythm, as this play thrives on the pace and punch of its dialogue. The cast delivers a dynamic portrayal of the diverse characters, each with their unique quirks and comedic styles. The characters’ interactions are both comedic and revealing, reflecting the tensions and camaraderie of a creative team under pressure.
At the heart is Lucas, played with guileless sincerity by Greysen Mortimer, the Simon stand-in, who navigates the madhouse as both observer and apprentice. He provides a grounded perspective without feeling like a mere narrator. The supporting cast, especially Ed Carusi as the mordant Milt and Paul Oliver as the droll Val, play off each other yet find individuality within the archetypes, bringing fresh life to roles that can easily fall into shtick. The second half doesn’t seem to have the same zeal as Act I — that is until Jay Burns re-enters as hypochondriac Ira Stone, bringing the laughter full throttle. His unsettling physical comedy makes you want to call for a medic!
“I have been blessed with an amazingly gifted cast,” says Zecco, who gives her heartfelt thanks to all nine. “Each of you worked diligently to successfully bring these iconic comedy writers and one of the most famous comedians from the Golden Age of Television to life on stage. I couldn’t be prouder. Working with you has been a joy.”
Visually, the set by Lloyd Felix is a character in itself: desks cluttered with scripts, coffee cups, cigarette butts and mysterious bagels. There’s a studied chaos to the design that echoes the characters’ mental states. Lighting shifts subtly to underscore mood without ever detracting from the momentum of the dialogue.
The Arctic Playhouse’s rendition is a testament to the enduring appeal of Simon’s work and the talent of Rhode Island’s local theater community. The result is a show that’s not only hilarious but hauntingly relevant. Treat yourself to this funfest of jocularity and insight into the world of television comedy. Laughter on the 23rd Floor runs through June 1.
For more information, visit https://thearcticplayhouse.com/. Photo by Sandy Smith.