Next year, the sitcom turns 90. The popular comedy format had its debut in America on Chicago’s WGN radio in a show that would mutate and become "Amos ’n’ Andy". The show was called "Sam ’n’ Henry". It was 1926. Neil Simon was not yet two years old. Years later, Simon would leave quite an impression on the genre in a number of ways including writing the stage play "The Odd Couple", which was later turned into a long-running sitcom. Some time ago, Simon paid tribute to his early years writing for television with Laughter on the 23rd Floor. The stage play inspired by his days writing for the variety show Your Show of Shows comes to Theatre Unchained next month courtesy of Broccoli Theatricals.
Bill Morris plays a character based on Neil Simon in a script that takes a comic look at writing for television. Think of it as something of a forerunner for the popular sitcom "30 Rock" set in the era just before "Mad Men".
Broccoli Theatricals’ staging of Laughter on the 23rd Floor runs April 24-May 9 at Theatre Unchained on 1024 S. 5th St. For ticket reservations, visit brownpapertickets.com.
