Laughter goes a long way

Broadway hit ‘Laughter on the 23rd Floor’ makes its way to the rst oor at Pierce College

Teja Foster/Roundup tfoster.roundupnews@gmail.com

The Pierce College Theater Department will be presenting its first production of the semester in the Performing Arts Complex from March 22 to 31.

Written by Neil Simon, “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” is based on the Sid-Caesar-like character Max Prince, star of “Your Show of Shows,” a weekly comedy show that aired during the early 1950s.

“Laughter on the 23rd Floor” became a Broadway hit in 1993 and ran for almost a year with 320 performances before it was turned into a movie in late 2001.

“The play’s comedy is similar to a moder-day ‘30 Rock’ or ‘Saturday Night

Live,’” said Michael Sande, managing director of the play.

Eric Mello will be taking on the lead role of Prince, his debut performance at Pierce.

“I heard about the play through some friends and Backstage Magazine and decided to try out for it,” said Mello.

He originally auditioned for the character of Ira, but got cast for the role of Max, which he was really happy about.

“When I found out Pierce was putting on this play I had to try out for it. Neil Simon is one of my favorites,” Mello said.

As the Theater Department receives production money from the district, a majority of proceeds are raised by ticket sales to help fund the department to produce plays throughout the year, according to Sande.

ONLINE REGISTRATION BEGINS APRIL 3

The production of “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” is directed by Gene Putnam, who has directed numerous Neil Simon plays during the 17 years he dedicated to Pierce before retiring two years ago.

The play already has one sold-out show, thanks to 300 dedicated subscribers and 417 Facebook followers to the four plays they put on throughout the year.

“Pierce puts on great plays. I’m familiar with Neil Simon. He’s [laugh-out-loud] funny. My friends and I are definitely going,” said art student Malinda Para after reading a flyer for the show.

Tickets for “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” are priced at $12 for students and seniors, and $15 for general admission.

Take advantage of the large number of Summer Session classes offered beginning May 28. Whatever your academic goals, chances are you’ll find a class within the wide selection of listed courses many of which are now available online.

Summer Session 2013 is for you if you are a

❯ Qualified high school student

❯ Community college student ready for upper-division degree work

❯ Home-for-the-summer college student

❯ Business professional on a part-time degree track

❯ Community member who wants to take a university class

SESSION DATES

❯ SUMMER SESSION 1 : May 28 – August 20 (12 weeks)

❯ SUMMER SESSION 2: May 28 – July 9 (6 weeks)

❯ SUMMER SESSION 3: July 10 – August 20 (6 weeks) http://summer.csun.edu

Showtimes for “Laughter on the 23rd Floor”

Friday, March 22 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 23 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 24 at 2 p.m.

Friday, March 29 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 30 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 31 at 2 p.m.

MASSAGE

PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATION (300 HOURS)

MASSAGE THERAPIST CERTIFICATION (600 HOURS)

ESTHETICIAN LICENSE (600 HOURS)

NAIL TECHNICIAN LICENSE (400 HOURS)