Nicola Pytell and Irving Cook in "Chapter Two"

Elmira Little Theatre is proud to present the what many consider to be Neil Simon's best play, Chapter Two, on February 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10, at 8pm; and Sunday, February 4th at 2pm at the Clemens Center's Mandeville Hall.  The production is directed by ELT's President, Mike Lavarnway, and features four ELT veteran actors.

Chapter Two is arguably Neil Simon's most autobiographical play.  It is the most personal of his works, inspired by the time in his life following the death of his first wife of twenty years, Joan Baim, through the romance and marriage to his second wife, Marsha Mason.  In fact, Marsha Mason starred opposite James Caan in the 1979 film adaptation of the play.  Simon admitted in an L.A. Times interview in 1977 that this was his most painful play to write because it dealt with the most painful time of his life.  But as often happens with art that is born from grief or pain, the final result is full of joy and life.  This is Neil Simon, after all, and even at his most serious, there is always a rich vein of humor.

The show is about the funny and serious sides of love and romance as the protagonists, George Schnieder (played by Irving Cook) and Jennie Malone (Nicola Pytell) begin new chapters in their lives.  But more than that, they struggle to let go of painful memories that prevent them from creating a whole new life together.  Meanwhile Geroge's brother, Leo (Greg Fusare), and Jennie's best friend, Faye (Janice Slocum), look for excitement beyond marriage in their own ways.

Greg Fusare and Janice Slocum in "Chapter Two"

The production is under the direction of ELT's president of the Board of Governors, Mike Lavarnway.  Mike is a veteran actor with Elmira Little Theatre himself and directed ELT's recent presentation of The Mousetrap.  When asked what drew him to Chapter Two, Lavarnway explained, "I stumbled across Chapter Two quite by accident while reading an anthology of 1977's best plays.  As I appreciate the work of Neil Simon, I decided to read it.  Just one reading persuaded me that this is a show I wanted to direct.  It was in turns heart-wrenching, hilarious and romantically touching.  Although the characters were strangers, the landscape seemed so familiar -- especially for those who experienced the highs and lows of romance.  It is a roller-coaster ride through the tumultuous days of new-found love, where two people seem to connect deeply, but are still haunted by the loves of the past."

The settings of the play are the two apartments inhabited by Leo and Jennie.  In the original Broadway production, these apartments were on turntables and moved in complex ways to shift from one scene to another.  Director Lavarnway approached the scenic design from another direction.  "I went with having basically two 'islands' or separate stages for each apartment," he explained.  "This reinforces the theme of two people, accustomed to their own 'space' learning to bridge the memories and experiences that separate them."  It also helps keep the show feeling more intimate and personal.

Bringing the show to life are four performers with long lists of credits and over forty years combined experience in theater.  Irving Cook (George) was seen in two ELT productions last season, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial and Proof.  Janice Slocum (Faye) returns to the ELT stage following her hilarious turn as the Reverend Mother in last season's Nunsense II.  Greg Fusare (Leo) was last seen as Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast and played Pseudolos in ELT's recent production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.  Irving, Janice, and Greg are all past members of Elmira Little Theatre's Board of Governors.  Rounding out the cast as Jennie is Nicola Pytell, herself a veteran of many ELT shows, including See How They Run and The Mousetrap.

Chapter Two will have six performances at the Clemens Center's Mandeville Hall, February 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10 at 8pm and a matinee Sunday, February 4th, at 2pm.  Ticket prices are $12.00 for general admission and $10.00 for seniors and students.  Groups of ten or more qualify for a special discount on tickets.  Since many ELT performances sell out, reservations are strongly suggested.  To reserve your tickets, please call the Clemens Center Box Office at 607-734-8191.