R<oy anld Norma Hubley (Larry Solway and Nuala fitzGerald) iterally turn somersaults to, get their daughter out of the bathroom on her wedding day in the Marigold Dinner Playhouse production of Plaza Suite. - Free Press Staff Photo Si,6mon's Plaza Suite demandin.ug for actors, amusing for audience Larry Solway . anc Nuala FitzGerald have shown they are versatile and energetic perform- ers in the Marigold Dmn- ner Playhouse produc- tion of Plaza Suite. The play, a. long- running broadway hit written by Neil Simon which opened at the Marigold last Wednes- day, demands the two principal actors play three characters each in what is a typical Simon "slice of life" comedy- drama. The slcesare visits to Suite 719 of New York's Plaza Hotel by tbree couples. The stories are unrelated, except that they take place in the samne hotel room. The walls, apparent-' ly, bave ears, and tell 0f the fading relationship of middle-aged Sam and Karen, the slippery.film producer Jesse Kiplin- ger and his seduction of outwardiy prude Muriel Tate, and the antics of Roy and Norma Hubiey on their daughter's wedding day. Although some of Simon's dramatic cli- ches, penned in the 1960's, don't hold up well over time, bis wit does. The generation gap as a topic of general discus- sion may be passe, but Simon's comic tribute to the amazement with J whicb Young and old re- Lgard each other still D brings a chuckle. Nuala FitzGerald is strong in ail three roles, the woman scorned, a small town suburban housewife, and the neurotic wedding day mother. She captures the wry sense of humour and. the silent despera- tion of Karen, who is losing ber husband to bis obsession with thin- ness, youth and a nubile Young secretary (Marlene Foran). . FitzGerald capitalizes on the' jokes, but re- mains patbetic as a women who will put up with anything from ber busband as long as be doesn't leave ber. Solway is Convincing as Sam, wboe denial tbat he is growing old manifests itself in ever- narrowing circles of let- tuce bearts, lean roast beef and black coffee. ("Martini's used to make you sexy," Karen says. "'Now they make me flabby," is Sam',s doleful reply.) The brief encounter between Jessie Kiplin- ger, a famous and suc- cessful film producer, and Muriel Tate, bis "bappily married", old flame, is perhaps the Ieast entertaining of the three sketches. It binges on one joke, the Muriel wants to jump into be as much as Jesse de- spite ber exaggerated dlaims that she is hap- pily married. Since we know this ail along, Simon's flirt witb the old flame story falîs flat. In spite of the writing, Solway and FitzGerald make tbe Most of it. They bring out the de- sire of botb characters to capture wbat the other bas found. Jessie wants the stability of a solid relationsbip while Muriel tries to capture a little of the excitement of Hollywood and Jessie's jet-setter's life. The third sketch gives Solway an opportunity to let loose as the father of a young woman wbo bas locked herseif in the washroom on ber wedd- ing day. He handies slapstick comedy deftly, with perfect timing and exaggerated facial and body movements. While Solway gets al the belly-laugbs in this one, FitzGerald's neuro- tic wbining fits Norma Hubley to a T. Witb the production of Plaza Suite, tbe Mari- gold lives up to its pro- mise of providing pro- fessional 'entertain- ment. The play runs un- tiI April, when Mar- riage-Go-Round will be staged. L The Whitby Toast- mistress Club and the Optimist Club of Whitby bave joined forces to present an oratorical contest, the flrst meet- ing 0f which will be held March 2, 1983 at the Sil- ver Lantern Restaurant in Whitby, starting at 6:30 p.m. The topie of the speeches will be "To Serve with Pride". At present there are eight contestants, ail girls ranging in'age fromn il to 15 years. The spon- sors hope some boys wil become involved as "4eleventh-bour" en- trants. Interested boys and girls under the age of 16 can still enter the con- test by calling Roy Pollard at 668-6288 or Marguerite Kulik at 668- 7777. Entrants will receive help in prepar- ing their speeches fromn qualified coaches. Two $1,000 scholar- ships will be awarded at the district finals to be held in Oakville next May. The speakers who enter the district finals wll also be coached by memhf'r of the Toast- You dont have to hé'Top 500" to get the same kind of health couerage. A Blue CH..I.P Package is for groups of 3 or more. Write for a brochure or cali direct Michael Good Oshawa, Ontario LlG 4W5 4C-(416) 433-5541 BELUE CROSS mlstress Club under the direction of Marguerite Kulik. Members of both clubs would like to thank Roy Pollard and Toastmistress Presi- dent Lee Hewitt for helping to organize -the contest. r Due to the enthusiastic demand for PAY T V Services -~Rogers ~ Cable TV-Pine, Ridge Wishes to announce it is extendling its business hours. This week our office at 301 Marwood Drive, Qshawa will be open: Mon.-Wed.: 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Thurs.&Fr: 9:00 am.-8:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Thanking ail our subscri bers for their patience and their patronage Rogers Cable TV-Pine Ridge 301 MARWOOD DRIVE, OSHAWA-~5792232 "Brînging you premîum entertainment at a price you can a ffo rd." Fowler Treacle Lyle's Golden Syrup Scottlsh oat cakes Ayrshlre bacon, Scottish pies bridies, haggis. 124 AthoI St. 668«5775 1Whitby k: WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 1983, PAGE 9 Eleventhmhour entrants welcume icontest