MiraCosta Theatre Department to Present Neil Simon's "Proposals"

MiraCosta College’s Theatre Department presents Neil Simon’s “Proposals,” directed by Eric Bishop.  “Proposals,” a lesser-known Simon play, was written in 1997 and is a charmingly nostalgic play set in the Poconos Mountains during the summer of 1961. The play explores love--romantic love, maternal/paternal love, unrequited love, lost and rediscovered love through the intertwined lives of nine characters.

“I am always interested in doing new or somewhat undiscovered material, but it is a special combination when it comes from arguably one of America’s greatest playwrights, Neil Simon.  Students benefit from getting to play his vivid characters, speak his words and celebrate his humor,” says Bishop.

The play is a departure for Simon in that it is his first to feature an African American lead character and it is set outdoors—in a lush mountain forest.

Playing the role of Clemma, the family’s housekeeper and the play’s narrator, is Ashlee Whitehead of Oceanside. Though just half the age of the character, a common occurrence with college productions, “Ashlee has the heart, stage presence and old soul needed to play such a complex and nuanced woman,” says Bishop. Clemma’s estranged husband, Lewis, is played by Chuck Adams, also of Oceanside.

Creating the outdoor set was a challenge for set designer Dixon Fish and technical director Kelly Kissinger.  “It’s the most ambitious set design I’ve ever worked with,” says Bishop, but the duo has created a realistic mountain forest onstage complete with forest sounds and smells designed to give the audience a multi-sensory experience.

Marty Weiss of Carlsbad plays the lead role of Burt, the family patriarch. Weiss, 67, returned to school as a “lifelong learner” after retirement and took a class in the theatre department. On a whim, he auditioned for the musical “Gypsy” in 2005 and landed a small role. He was bitten by the acting bug and has been involved with the theatre program ever since.  He will be reunited with former “Gypsy” cast mate, Debra Dodaro of Oceanside who is playing his ex-wife, Annie.  Other cast members include Oceanside resident Evaleen Bakeman, Sassan Safari of Encinitas, Alex Awad of Cardiff and Carlsbad residents Summer Spiro and Blake Parret.

“Proposals” will be performed in the MiraCosta College Theatre, 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside on April 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 at 7:30 p.m. as well as April 20 and 27 at 2 p.m. General admission is $12; seniors/staff, $10; and students, $8.  A preview performance is scheduled for April 17 at 7:30 p.m., all seats are $8.  Tickets are available online here or by calling the MiraCosta College Box Office at (760) 795-6815. A publicity photo is available for download here.