Although “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” was written in 1971, “you would swear it was written last week,” says director Reid Leonard.
All the problems, the craziness and the comedy in the Neil Simon play will resonate with today’s audiences, Leonard says — which is why the play has seen a resurgence in popularity recently.
“It’s an amazing show,” he says.
The play opens July 28 at The Meroney Theater.
Mel Edison (played by Gary Thornburg) is a well paid executive of a high-end Manhattan firm which has suddenly hit the skids and he gets the ax. His wife Edna (Sunny Boone) takes a job to get them through, but then she gets sacked as well. Between his plants dying because of air pollution and hearing way too much from the neighbors because of the apartment’s paper-thin walls, things can’t get much worse, right? Wrong. After Mel is robbed and his psychiatrist dies with $23,000 of his money, Mel does the only thing left for him to do. He has a nervous breakdown — which might just be the best thing that’s ever happened to him.
“The Prisoner of Second Avenue” is playing July 28-30 and Aug. 3-6 at 7:30 p.m. and July 31 at 2:30 p.m.
Regular ticket prices are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. A group rate of $9 per ticket is offered from groups of 20 or more. Wednesday, Aug. 2 is Value Night with all tickets $10.
The box office is open to the public starting July 25 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. You may also call 704-633-5471 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Meroney Theater is located at 213 S. Main St.