The Collected Plays of Neil Simon

Rating:
Summary: These plays are not Simon's best.
Review: "The Collected Plays of Neil Simon, Vol. 1" is a nice anthology, but it's not full of his best works. I loved Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" (his two sequels weren't as good), so I have very high expectations for his plays. Here's a brief review for each play:

"The Odd Couple" - I went into this play knowing I wouldn't really like it, since I didn't care for the movie or television show. I found it too neurotic.

"Plaza Suite" - This was a very depressing play. Affairs outside the marriage is such a common theme in Simon's plays, and it's becoming sickening.

"Barefoot in the Park" - The best play in this whole volume. Witty and sensual. The movie is just as superb.

"Come Blow Your Horn" - The mother in this play is hysterical, and she's what saves the play from boredom.

"The Star-Spangled Girl" - By far the stupidest play I've ever read.

"Last of the Red Hot Lovers" - Simon tried too hard to be funny. You can tell when he wants you to laugh, and I don't like that.

"Promises, Promises" - He should stay away from musicals! Boring and petty.

Overall, this volume was a letdown, but one to have - nonetheless - if you're a Neil Simon fan. I "sorta" recommend.

Rating:
Summary: I never stopped laughing.
Review: After watching Neil Simon's biography on TV, I decided to read some of his plays. A friend had read this book, and loaned it to me, when I was needing some Neil Simon. I read "Come Blow your Horn" and after that, I don't know if I stopped giggling, or laughing once. When reading a play, sometimes it seems dead in the script, Neil Simon plays are just as extraordinary on paper as on the stage, or in a movie. I was picturing the "Odd Couple" arguing and I started to laugh out loud (I later saw the movie and discovered that Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon perfectly fit the pictures in my mind." I then moved on to "Star Spangled Girl" which had me roaring with laughter, followed by "Barefoot in the Park" which I really loved. It was so sweet, and innocent, yet hysterically funny! Then, I went to a Plaza Suite, where a series of Affairs and arguments take place. On to "Promises, Promises" A play that was funny, and sweet. Finally, I finished this wonderful book with the poignant, and amusing play "The Last of Red Hot Lovers". Now, I am on to the next set of Neil Simon plays, but these six, will always be some of my personal favorites of all time.

Rating:
Summary: I never stopped laughing.
Review: After watching Neil Simon's biography on TV, I decided to read some of his plays. A friend had read this book, and loaned it to me, when I was needing some Neil Simon. I read "Come Blow your Horn" and after that, I don't know if I stopped giggling, or laughing once. When reading a play, sometimes it seems dead in the script, Neil Simon plays are just as extraordinary on paper as on the stage, or in a movie. I was picturing the "Odd Couple" arguing and I started to laugh out loud (I later saw the movie and discovered that Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon perfectly fit the pictures in my mind." I then moved on to "Star Spangled Girl" which had me roaring with laughter, followed by "Barefoot in the Park" which I really loved. It was so sweet, and innocent, yet hysterically funny! Then, I went to a Plaza Suite, where a series of Affairs and arguments take place. On to "Promises, Promises" A play that was funny, and sweet. Finally, I finished this wonderful book with the poignant, and amusing play "The Last of Red Hot Lovers". Now, I am on to the next set of Neil Simon plays, but these six, will always be some of my personal favorites of all time.

Rating:
Summary: First Rate Plays in a First Rate Book. Excellent!
Review: I bought this book during my acting days, and love having it in my library. The eight plays included are fantastic, and the quality of the printing of the book is just as wonderful, and durable. One nice feature of the book is that at the beginning of each play, it provides the names of the people who wrote the music, lyrics, and the original cast members in order of appearance.

Neil Simon's plays are astoundingly human, real, and especially joyous read as well as to act out. I highly recommend the hardcover edition, as it is reads easily due to the great selection of typeset, and will hold well over time.

A Superb Book of Plays that will definitely bring you much joy in both reading and acting. Highly recommended! Barbara Rose, author of, 'Individual Power' and 'If God Was Like Man'

Rating:
Summary: Collected Plays of Neil Simon Vol. 4
Review: I especially enjoy this collection of plays because it contains so many different genres, each evoking a strong emotion from the reader. For instance, Rumors is an incredibly funny farce that contains both slap-stick and witty humour, while Lost in Yonkers is a powerful drama about the coming of age of two boys forced to live with their grandmother in the middle of Yonkers. The other three plays, London Suite, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and Jake's Women are also strong pieces and were very enjoyable to read as well. Of all Neil Simon's collections, I would have to say that Vol. 4 contains the most variety and the plays featured consist of some of his best works.

Rating:
Summary: Dramatic and Hilarious Collection
Review: I laughed so hard and was touched by all the wonderful performances of these characters.

Neil Simon has a knack for making the characters believable and real, and I thought that some of the works ended too soon. I want to know more about the characters' lives and what happened before and after the play situations. I wish he could go back and do a George Lucas thing and write the prequels and sequels to these fine masterpieces.

I love these plays and so do all my friends. My High School even performed Rumors my senior year, I was so thrilled to be a part of it. I got to play Glenn Cooper. It was so much fun.

I bought this book from Amazon.com the second I found it and you should, too. (mainly because you wont find it anywhere else, I checked).

Rating:
Summary: Only reviewing "Only When I Laugh".........
Review: Neil Simon is one of America's foremost playwrights. His "The Odd Couple" is very memorable as is his play " Only When I Laugh" which tells the poignant story of a rehabed alcoholic actress trying to get back to work, her struggle to pick up a relationship with her teenage daughter and the close bond she shares with an ageing beauty queen friend and a mostly out-of-work gay actor. Do yourself a favour and rent the video starring Marsha Mason (Simon's ex-wife) The scene where Mason's life is falling apart around her and she takes that first swill of the wine glass is worthy, every bit worthy, of her Oscar nomination in this role. Simon punches absolutely brilliant one liners and is a master of the theatre in his telling of relationships, past, present and re-establishing. Other plays include "California Suite"

Rating:
Summary: Only reviewing "Only When I Laugh".........
Review: Neil Simon is one of America's foremost playwrights. His "The Odd Couple" is very memorable as is his play " Only When I Laugh" which tells the poignant story of a rehabed alcoholic actress trying to get back to work, her struggle to pick up a relationship with her teenage daughter and the close bond she shares with an ageing beauty queen friend and a mostly out-of-work gay actor. Do yourself a favour and rent the video starring Marsha Mason (Simon's ex-wife) The scene where Mason's life is falling apart around her and she takes that first swill of the wine glass is worthy, every bit worthy, of her Oscar nomination in this role. Simon punches absolutely brilliant one liners and is a master of the theatre in his telling of relationships, past, present and re-establishing. Other plays include "California Suite"

Rating:
Summary: Treasure chest
Review: This lovely volume of eight Neil Simon plays will assume an immediate place of honour on your bookshelf. Well laid out with easy-to-read type, it takes up where volume 1 leaves off. Even those folks not connected with the world of acting can have fun with these scripts. Reading/acting the plays aloud with your family, each person assigned a different role, can be a great activity for quality time -and will hone your comedy timing. Special nuggets include 'Prisoner of second avenue' and 'Chapter Two'. Reading Simon's work reveals greater depth beneath the priceless one-liners that he supplies. That, in fact, is his genius; like Woody Allen and Joseph Heller, Simon first draws you in with laughter only to move you with great humanity. These plays are among his deeper works, as life-experience go into the mix. The stories on these pages are our own, and youll have a ball!