ProArts to stage ‘The Prisoner of Second Avenue’

The cast of “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” includes (from left): back row — Marilynn Hirashima and Lee Garrow; front row — Beth Garrow, Jennifer Rose, John Peterson and Barbara Sedano.
KIHEI – ProArts is proud to present Neil Simon’s “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” as the second show of its spring season. The play opens at the ProArts Playhouse in Kihei on Friday, May 3.
It’s 1971, and Mel Edison is a well-paid executive of a high-end Manhattan firm. When the company suddenly hits the skids, he gets the ax.
His wife, Edna, takes a job to tide them over, then she, too, is sacked. Compounded by the air pollution killing his plants, and with the walls of the apartment being paper-thin – allowing him a constant earful of his neighbors’ private lives – things can’t seem to get any worse.
Then he’s robbed, and his psychiatrist dies with $23,000 of his money.
Mel does the only thing left for him to do – he has a nervous breakdown. It’s the best thing that ever happened to him. It is now up to the loving care of his brother, Harry, his sisters and Edna to bring Mel back to a firm reality.
“The Prisoner of Second Avenue” features John Peterson as the long-suffering Mel; Jennifer Rose as his devoted wife, Edna; Lee Garrow as his older brother, Harry; and Marilynn Hirashima, Beth Garrow and Barbara Sedano as his loving – but slightly confused – sisters.
The show is directed by Kristi Scott, with costumes designed by Sarah Loney, scenery created by Caro Walker and lighting provided by Bonnie Prucha. ProArts productions are produced by Jonathan Lehman.
Opening night is May 3, and the show runs until May 19. It plays Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. (no show on May 5).
ProArts offers reserved seats at $20. Kama’aina nights, with discounts for Hawaii residents, are scheduled for May 4, 9 and 16.
The intimate ProArts Playhouse is located at the Azeka (Makai) Shopping Center at 1280 S. Kihei Road. Call 463-6550 for tickets or more information.