Neil Simon based his 1977 comedy "Chapter Two" on his own rough-around-the-edges romantic history. From March 4-20, Curtain Call in Stamford produces this hilarious and poignant story of two couples trying to navigate romance and marriage without running aground. In writing "Chapter Two," Simon tapped his own difficult transition after the death of his first wife. Though he and actress Marsha Mason fell in love and subsequently married, for Simon it was a bumpy, emotional passage between the time he finished mourning and could fully commit to his new romance. In "Chapter Two," the George Schneider character is Simon's stand-in as the mourning writer with Jenny Malone, as the level-headed actress he meets and falls in love with. Rounding out the quartet are Leo, Georges brother, and Faye, Jennys endearing but naive friend.
For PBS's "American Masters" series, Simon described how -- and why -- he melds emotions in his plays. "I've found that comedy is the best way for me to reflect my own feelings. I think comedy can be more realistic than drama. But I do like the mixture of comedy and drama in a play."
The Broadway production of "Chapter Two" was nominated for a 1978 Tony Award for Best Play. A film version followed, which starred the playwright's wife, Marsha Mason.
The film of another Simon hit play, "The Odd Couple," starred Jack Lemmon. For "American Masters," Lemmon summarized Simon's brillance. Neil has the ability to write characters even the leading characters that were supposed to root for that are absolutely flawed. They have foibles. They have faults. But, they are human beings. They are not all bad or all good; they are people we know.
Whether you recognize "Chapter Two's" characters or not, Neil Simon and Curtain Call combine forces for a rich and rollicking -- and romantic -- theater experience. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $14- $28. For more information, visit Curtain Call's website.
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