By AJ Jaffari

What happens when the walls of a single hotel suite hold a lifetime of laughter, longing, and regret? That’s the bittersweet premise of Plaza Suite, Neil Simon’s sharp-witted triptych of one-act comedies. Each story unfolds within the same luxurious room at New York’s famed Plaza Hotel, but the characters—and their crises—couldn’t be more different. From a marriage on the rocks, to a Hollywood dalliance rekindled, to a wedding-day standoff between parents and their reluctant bride, Simon mines the humor and heartbreak of relationships at their breaking points.

Hillbarn’s production leans into the play’s mix of wit and wistfulness, balancing zippy one-liners with moments of vulnerability. Beneath the farce lies a timeless question: what does it really take to hold love together when life keeps changing the script?

While Plaza Suite may not have been my personal favorite play, I found plenty of moments that were undeniably charming—and I can easily see why it will resonate with many Hillbarn audiences. Will Springhorn Jr. and Laura Jane Young, tasked with embodying three distinct characters each, brought nuance and individuality to every role, carrying the show with impressive range. Of the three acts, I especially enjoyed Jesse and Muriel’s arc, which delivered the biggest laughs of the night and had me in stitches. The physical comedy throughout was sharp yet never overplayed, thanks to Marissa Keltie’s thoughtful direction, which kept the pacing crisp and the humor flowing seamlessly.

Hillbarn does so many things well and never ceases to impress me. The set design for this production was especially noteworthy—reminiscent of the stellar work I’ve admired from Ron Gasparinetti at City Lights (particularly his immaculate design for The Game’s Afoot). Eric Olson’s beautifully crafted suite was warm, detailed, and inviting; it genuinely made me want to check in for the night. And I have to give special mention to the Act 3 rain effect—absolutely stunning and completely mind-blowing. I’m still not sure how they pulled it off (please, someone DM me with the secret!), but however it was achieved, it deserves major praise. The lighting design by the brilliant Pamila Gray was, as always, exceptional, and Jeff Mockus’s sound design added yet another layer of delight. As a rookie sound designer myself, I especially appreciated the pre-show and intermission playlist—I was happily singing along to every tune. Trust me, there are still plenty of us who adore the oldies, and I’m definitely one of them.

Hats off to Hillbarn Theatre for yet another superb production. I can’t wait to return!

Plaza Suite runs through September 14 and tickets are available here.