Tyler Borton (left)  plays a famous Hollywood producer meeting up with a former girl friend, played by Stacey Fair, in the Bromfield Drama Society production of Neil Simon’s comedy Plaza Suite. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)

The Bromfield Drama Society will be performing its rendition of Plaza Suite by Neil Simon during the first two weekends of November. The show, under the direction of Bromfield Drama Society Director Ted Zayka, focuses on a single hotel room in the Plaza Hotel in New York City, occupied by three different couples on three various occasions. In the first act, a married couple escapes on a renewal honeymoon to rekindle their unhappy marriage. The second act showcases a pair of former high school sweethearts who have not seen each other in 17 years and now lead opposite lives. The third couple shows a family who occupies the suite on their daughter's wedding day.

All the acts are completely unique, but what unites them is the theme of relationships, according to Zayka. "The show revolves around the frailty of relationships," he says. "The first act illustrates the end of a relationship, the second act deals with the start of something new, and the third is more of a reaffirmation of a marriage, so there is a little bit of everything."

Since there are very few roles, Zayka chose to double-cast the show. "I wanted to get as many kids in the drama program as possible," he explains.

This is Zayka's first time directing at Bromfield, and so far he is enjoying the contrast between directing and acting. "Every rehearsal is process-driven," he says. "It's all about finding new ways to bring the show to life, and when everyone is on stage, both the director and the actors have a say. I'm loving the process."

"I'm excited because it is staggered," he adds. "I wanted the two casts to bring personality to their characters, and that makes the relationships totally different … People who go see Cast A can go see Cast B and see a totally different show."

Junior Stephanie Reeves plays the part of Norma Hubley, the mother of the bride in the third act. "The two casts play the same situations in unique ways, making both shows different experiences... I feel that both casts, although different, will be great," explains Reeves.

Daniel Jackson, a sophomore, plays the part of Roy Hubley alongside Reeves in the third act of Cast B. Jackson explains that his part is very upbeat. "Roy has an extremely short fuse," says Jackson. "[He] can go from a loving, calm father to a loud, rowdy, fuming man in a blink of the eye."

"I am extremely excited about the show," he adds. "I have done shows in and out of the Bromfield drama program, and nothing compares to being in the high school drama productions."

Freshman Danny Hayward, who plays Roy in the first cast, feels the same way. "I've always been in comedic shows, but never ones where the emotions that are going through my character change so quickly and so often," explains Hayward, but adds, "I'm up to the challenge!"

According to Zayka, the show is unique because it "deals with real emotions and experiences, so it will appeal to every member of the audience in various forms."

Junior Tyler Borton agrees. Borton plays Jesse Kiplinger, a "big-shot Hollywood producer" trying to seduce his old high school girlfriend in the second act. For Borton, the show is emotional in addition to comedic. "Unlike my part in the last Neil Simon play we did, London Suite, I play a more dramatic and less comic character. Jesse has very strong feelings and layers of emotion, while my last character spent the duration of the scene lying on the floor in crippling pain," he says. "I'm very excited for this show."

Because the play was written in 1968, Zayka feels that the real challenge was not learning lines, but making it original. "This show has been around for 42 years, so it's an older show… what I really wanted to do was make it something that no one had ever seen before, and redo it in a new way," he explains.

Former director Michael McGarty says he is looking forward to see how the production will turn out. "I am excited to see all the changes in the younger actors," he explains. "I'm glad to see the drama department is in good hands."