Neil Simon
Neil Simon (born
1927 in (
New York City) is, after
William Shakespeare, the most performed playwright of all time. He began career as TV comedy writer, most notably for
Sid Caesar's
Your Show of Shows. He is the author of over forty
Broadway plays since
1961, ranging from humorous, lighthearted plays of the 1960s (
Barefoot in the Park,
The Odd Couple) to darker, more autobiographical works in 1970s and 1980s (
Chapter Two, the
Eugene trilogy featuring
Brighton Beach Memoirs,
Biloxi Blues, and
Broadway Bound). Simon also contributed librettos to such hit musical comedies as
Sweet Charity,
Promises, Promises, and
They're Playing Our Song. His plays are known for their family-based New York settings, where world-weary characters use one-liners to hide often-fractured psyches. Simon's second wife (of four) was actress
Marsha Mason, who starred in several of his plays and movies.
Plays by Neil Simon
- Come Blow Your Horn
- Barefoot in the Park
- The Odd Couple
- Sweet Charity
- The Star-Spangled Girl
- Plaza Suite
- Promises, Promises
- Last of the Red Hot Lovers
- The Gingerbread Lady
- Prisoner of Second Avenue
- The Sunshine Boys
- The Good Doctor
- God's Favorite
- California Suite
- Chapter Two
- They're Playing Our Song
- I Ought to Be in Pictures
- Fools
- Brighton Beach Memoirs
- Biloxi Blues
- Broadway Bound
- Jake's Women
- Rumors (play)
- Lost in Yonkers
- Laughter on the 23rd Floor
- London Suite
- Proposals\n