Proposals

by Neil Simon

Proposals by Neil Simon.

Genres: Plays

122 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1998

About the author

Marvin Neil Simon was an American playwright and screenwriter. He wrote more than 30 plays and he received more combined Oscar and Tony nominations than any other writer. He was one of the most reliable hitmakers in Broadway history, as well as one of the most performed playwrights in the world. Though primarily a comic writer, some of his plays, particularly the Eugene Trilogy and The Sunshine Boys, reflect on the twentieth century Jewish-American experience.

Reviews

[Shawn Aebi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious story albeit told at the shallow end of the pool. Not sure this one will get produced on stage much anymore due to some overly stereotypical roles. Still, had me roaring and took all of an hour to read.

[Amy Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh it's fine. Maybe, like, a 2.5. I can see why it got a Broadway run in 1998, but also why it's not making the rounds in current theatre education. Currently parsing different plays for scene study material, and this could have some interesting ones!

[Brian McCann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than average late Simon. Sorts of builds up to nothing, however.

[Annika Chasteen · Rating 4 out of 5]

love me some neil simon

[Cori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this play. Didn't love it but would be willing to bet I'd like a production of it better than the words on paper.

I found Josie (the lead character) to be very one-dimensional. There wasn't anything appealing (or appalling) about her. No texture.

Vinnie and Sammii are great characters. Clemma and Lewis have the best lines, the best dialog and the most interesting relationship- full of depth and emotion.

I never got invested in Josie's romance with Ray or Ken. Nor did I get any kind of sense of grief from Burt regarding the loss of his marriage to Annie. But, alas, those are the types of things a director and actors are supposed to bring to the text.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a cast of characters! Very diverse. Plus, it's all about reconciliation, which is a good theme to spend time with. A quick read, and I enjoyed it well enough. Plus, it's well-written. Not bad at all.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first directing assignment! Very wonderful & moving play! 2005

[Emily Fortuna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent jokes. An excellent pile of jokes!