PRISONER OF 2ND AVENUE

by Neil Simon

A man struggles to hold on to his senses amid the confusion and pressures of life in New York City

Genres: Plays, Drama, Theatre, Humor, Fiction, Comedy, 20th Century

87 pages, Hardcover

First published September 12, 1972

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

[Banafsheh · Rating 4 out of 5]

یک کار بسیار روان هست که در یک نشست خوانده میشه. داستان از جایی شروع میشه که شخصیت مرد قصه کارش رو در سن ۴۷ سالگی از دست میده.

این کار یک طنز سیاه هست. واقعا بعضی از قسمتهاش خندیدم. فضای جامعه ای که ترسیم کرده بود کاملا تلخ و بسیار شبیه به واقعیت موجود بود که حتی وقتی میخندی هم تلخیش رو حس میکنی.

جامعه ای که دونه دونه افرادش رو قربانی میکنه تا خودش سرپا بمونه و شخصیتهایی که دائم همدیگه رو قضاوت میکنن.

مجموعا خوندنش ارزش داره ولی شاید با یک پایان بهتر، خواندنی تر میشد.

بخشی از نمایشنامه:

-از چی حرف میزنی مِل؟ چه اتفاقی داره میوفته؟
-فکر میکنی تصادفیه که من نمیتونم هیچ کاری پیدا کنم؟ به خیالت الابختکیه؟ فکر میکنی روی دور بد افتادم، نه؟
-به نظرم تقصیر دوره زمونه اس مل. ما توی بد دوره زمونه ای هستیم.
-در مورد واقعیت شک نمیکنی، نه؟ اصلا؟
-چه واقعیتی مل؟ از کدوم واقعیت حرف میزنی؟
-من دارم از توطئه حرف میزنم ادنا. توطئه!
.....
-کی، مل؟ بهم بگو کی پشت این توطئه اس؟ بچه ها؟ معتادها؟ ارتش؟ نیروی دریایی؟ باشگاه کتاب ماه؟ آخه کدوم واموندیه ایه، مل؟
-نوع بشر! زوال ناگهانی و برگشت ناپذیر روح بشر. بشری که تیشه به ریشه خودش میزنه و زمینه فراهم میکنه برای خودویرانگری خودخواسته ی خودبخود ای که به خودش تحمیل کرده، اره اینه پشتش.

[So0osawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

تو كتاب فروشي نشستم و خوندمش:)
كتاب خوبي بود
اسفند ٩٦ به كارگرداني محلقا باقري روي صحنه رفته بود
اما متاسفانه نتونستم بيينمش
براي همين ترغيب شدم كه كتابش رو بخونم
كتابي بود با ته مايه طنز
و قوي در خصوص نشان دادن فروپاشي عصبي و تاثير نبود كار روي افراد و اوضاع جامعه از لحاظ اقتصادي و فروپاشي زندگي هاي معمولي در اين بحران اقتصادي

[Pourahmadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

نمایشنامه ای در دو پرده
پرده اول دو صحنه
پرده دوم سه صحنه
ایده:
مشکلات اقتصادی کشور آمریکا و تاثیر آن بر زندگی یک زوج میانسال
نیل سایمون در این نمایشنامه با زبان طنز فوق العاده خودش به سراغ معضلات اجتماعی اقتصادی طبقه متوسط میانسال آمریکایی می رود و داستانی را تعریف می کند که در هر پرده مشکلات قهرمانانش بیشتر می شود و در پایان هم به نتیجه روشنی منتهی نمی شود. شاید ایده او این است که مشکلات مردم نه توسط خودشان بلکه توسط مسئولین باید حل شود. همان کسانی که مشکلات را برای آنان به وجود آورده اند و اصولا مردم کاری نمی توانند بکنند. غیر از اینکه با هم مهربانتر باشند.

پرده اول- صحنه اول

داستان در یک آپارتمان با تنش شروع می شود. نیمه شب مرد خانه شروع به غر زدن و سر و صدا می کند. از همسایه ها می نالد. از زباله ها از سرایدار از سرد بودن خانه و زن سعی می کند او را آرام کند
صحنه با پخش اخبار مضلات شهری و قطع آب خاتمه می یابد

پرده اول- صحنه دوم:

از آپارتمان این زوج دزدی شده تقصیر زن بوده که چون کلیدش را گم کرده در را باز گذاشته و رفته است خرید. مرد از راه می رسد و خبر می دهد که مدتی است کارش را از دست داده است. زن اعلام آمادگی می کند برود سر کار. فضا با عصبانیت و داد و بیداد ادامه می یابد و با ریختن سطل آب از طرف همسایه بالایی روی سر مرد به پایان می رسد.

پرده دوم - صحنه اول:

زن از سر کار برگشته و مرد به او گیر می دهد و زن از دام درگیری با او می گریزد. مرد افسرده شده و دارای پارانویاست. مرد به تراس می رود و به همسایه بالایی فحش می دهد. صحنه با پخش خبر اعتصاب ها پایان می یابد

پرده دوم- صحنه دوم:

سه خواهر و برادر مرد به خانه آنها آمده اند و در تدارک درمان برادر خود هستند ولی علاقه ای به پول دادن ندارند و از خاطرات مشکلات کودکی مرد می گویند. زن از آنها تقاضا ی 25000 دلار پول می کند برای اردوی تابستانی ولی آنها طفره می روند و از او بدگویی می کنند. صحنه با اخبار تمام می شود که روانپزشکان یک بیمارستان خودشان روانی شده اند.

پرده دوم- صحنه سوم:

زن به خانه می آید ناراحت است از کار اخراج شده است. آب قطع شده برق آشپزخانه قطع است. سرایدار مجتمع پاسخگو نیست. زن حمام می خواهد. برادر مرد می آید و 25000 دلار پول به زن می دهد. مرد سر می رسد و به زن اعتراض می مند و بین آنها تنش لفظی در می گیرد. مرد روی تراس فریاد می زند و همسایه بالایی روی سرش سطل آبی را خالی می کند. مرد به داخل می آید . زن و مرد با هم همدردی می کنند و از پنجره برف می بارد. صحنه با پخش خبر برف در شهر پایان می یابد.

[Arsam Parvas · Rating 4 out of 5]

زندانی خیابان دوم ترجمه شهرام زرگر ، نشر نیلا که خب این نسخه اش تو سایت نیست
و باید بگم این نمایشنامه ، بعد از اتاقی در هتل پلازا بهترین نمایشنامه ای بود
که از نیل سایمون خوندم

[Kiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

آدم گاهی اون‌قدر تنها می‌شه که حتی صدای یخچال هم براش می‌تونه یه هم‌صحبت باشه

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Prisoner of Second Avenue is nowhere near Neil Simon's most famous play, but this performance for L.A. Theatreworks does happen to star two of Neil Simon's most famous actors doing what they do best, sharing their exceptional chemistry and making us laugh.

Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason (once Simon's spouse) were the stars of Simon's The Goodbye Girl (one of his original screenplays), which remains as charming today as it was in 1977 when Dreyfuss took home the Best Actor Oscar for his performance. On screen, the pair exemplified that bickering style of New York couple we've seen a million times in romantic comedies, but they made the hate-turned-love cliché work. Their comfort with each other as actors, their clear connection on-screen, and their believable sexual tension took what could have been screechy pettiness and turned it into sincere seduction.

Dreyfuss and Mason are twenty-three years older in this staging of Simon's The Prisoner of Second Avenue, but their chemistry hasn't dwindled. It has become less incendiary, perhaps, and it is maybe a little less effervescent, but the two of them still have a bond that makes their characters -- who are also significantly older than their Goodbye Girl characters -- a completely believable middle aged couple getting beat up by the city of New York and the rat race they're trapped in. Yes they keep up the bickering, but there is no hate to turn into love. For Mel and Edna there is only love, and sadness, and a little bit of madness.

The Prisoner of Second Avenue was written and set during the Nixon presidency, but without the mention of the President in one of the scene change radio broadcasts the audience wouldn't need to know. The action of the play could be happening today just as easily as it happened in the '70s. There are only a few subtle signs that date the play, but these aren't visible until Simon reveals them himself, letting us know when we are. Point being ... the play holds up all these years later. Of course, the great performances of the actors certainly help to smooth over those signs too.

I vaguely recall having mentioned this in the past but Neil Simon doesn't really get the credit he deserves for his massive body of work. Some of his work is truly great, but the rest of it is really good. It's difficult to call to mind any plays that outright stink. That's an hell of an acheivement for a playwright as prolific as Simon. I wonder when folks will truly rediscover his work?

[Bobby Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand Mel getting a little neurotic at the loss of his job and the robbery of his apartment, but I don't understand why he and Edna stay in the city, and I don't think his neurosis is enough to support a two-act play.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

By my estimation, this is one of Neil Simon's lesser works. It goes nowhere and as far as I can tell it has little to say. At various points it is glib, self-satisfied, paranoid, out-of-date (when it was written, and more so today) and snootily anti-middle-class. It spends most of its running time lapsing into cruelty or mere unkindness. Simon's worst traits are on display here. What's most notable is that some of Simon's good qualities are also evident, so the thing it still hangs together. A good production can elevate it, but I always kinda wish they'd put their energy into something with a little more reason behind it, and not so mean-spirited.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny breakdown of a breakdown over the breakdown of middle class life.

[Jojo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: Edna and Mel are a couple living in NYC. When Mel loses his job, he basically loses his mind. On top of that, they get robbed. Several weeks go by, Mel is feeling like a prisoner in his own home as he still has no job. Meanwhile, Edna has a job of her own now to help tide them over money-wise. Mel's siblings come over to offer help. They offer to help pay for Mel's doctor but Edna says she's rather use the money for the two of them to buy a summer camp for them to run. The siblings aren't particularly keen on that idea. Another several weeks go by and now Edna has lost her job as the company has gone under. Mel's brother, Harry, shows up and gives Mel the money after all.
Review: While I suppose one could say this play is realistic in its portrayal of people, not a lot happens. Mel seems just quite the whiny person...I mean a mental breakdown because he lost his job? And then the nerve of Edna to want the money for something as frivolous as a summer camp...anyway I don't know. I think this was fine but nothing impressive.
Grade: C+

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Neil Simon must have been very angry and despondent about the state of things in NYC and the economy of the city and crime and unemployment in 1971-72. This play is full of acid dripping comedy quips about these subjects and a lot of male emotional impotence. A husband loses his job at his office, he and his wife are robbed, the apartment has structural and internal working problems, and his family only lends selfish neurotic assistance. Maybe it is a good watch on stage, but reading this play (with an odd scene and Act change of curtain falling and strange newscasts announcements of hte world nearly coming to an end) can induce some of the same anger. The ending is loose ended and seems very dark.

[Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

After five Neil Simon plays, after discovering the Simon writes plays about dysfunctional families and people with breakdowns, interspersed with a comedy, I know who he is, to some extent. I understand the point in plays about miserable, upset people, about people disappointed with life. Understanding a little about sorrow and pain is important. I should mention that Simon’s lead men tend to sound like Jackie Gleason. If I listen to more of Simon’s plays, maybe I’ll understand it more. To learn about sorrow is to learn the worth of joy, you see?

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun to listen to while I was grocery shopping for Thanksgiving, except that I forgot about the really stressful parts. Still it was funny, and very midcentury modern in an Upper East Side kind of way. I listened to a cast recording of Marcia Mason and Richard Dreyfus, and it took me right back to my childhood (watching those two, not being on the Upper East Side). Some of the jokes haven't aged well, but it's a great time capsule of upper middleclass angst in pre Xanax society. I recommend this recording to anyone who likes Neil Simon.

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent follow-up to Goodbye Girl as this play stars Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason who starred in the original Goodbye Girl. Tense, intense commentary of the state of the world, of the working world, and the common man mixed with family dynamics. No one has a nervous breakdown better than Richard Dreyfuss.

[Abdul Alhazred · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is like the highbrow version of Always Sunny. If you find neurotic New Yorkers breaking down and yelling over each other funny this is hilarious. The play unfortunately takes a pause to get serious and develop a message, without the screwball rapid fire dialogue and it actually suffers for it.

[kp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Playhouse West (Philadelphia) play of the month, July 2024

This was a great play!! It made me genuinely laugh at a couple of points. I feel there is some deeper meaning I am at the cusp of understanding... I want to look deeper into the Roger Keating news broadcasts.

Hands down, the best scene was the one with all those damn siblings! It would be so fun to act in.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not in Simon's top echelon of work, but still pretty funny. You've got to appreciate dark humor to enjoy this tale of a New York couple driven to the edge, by thefts, landlords who won't fix anything, hostile neighbors, and then a loss of employment. Everything that can go wrong does, and while it's hard to like the central characters, it's equally hard not to relate to them a little.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

( Format Audiobook )
" Don't patronize me, Edna. "

Yes, well there is a lot of shouting but that happens sometimes between two long married people when things get difficult. An excellent cast including Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason was recorded live before a very appreciative audience and, though touching on the pressures of life including unemployment, is very funny.

[R.K. Cowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/4 stars

[Chrystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

1 star deducted for bad language.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it's the performance or maybe it's the play but this was just a bunch of screaming and shouting. The worst Simon play I've ever ead seen or listened to.

[Dan Blackley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This play is a strange one. I saw the movie and it was funny, but it's an angry play. I want to see it on stage sometime.

[Rebekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't terribly impressed by this. Had some good moments, and provides some insight into the white male rage of the 1970s, but it has no resolution at the end so it left me feeling underwhelmed.

[Vladimiro Sousa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of felt like a night at the theatre. so nice. very good comedies.

[Emma Christmas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as I had wished and only really worth seeing once onstage regardless of who is performing it.

[Denise Kruse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find Neil Simon’s works very funny in a predictable but still laughable every time way. This one is just that!

[Brian McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed re-reading this classic Neil Simon play. Some of it is dated, but the okay is a snapshot of standard theater date in the early 1970s.

[Nomad nimrod · Rating 1 out of 5]

If this was funny, it flew right by me.

[Andrea Janov · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tension and the volley of the tension between the two main characters mimicked life and was deftly executed in this play.

[Karim Kohansal · Rating 4 out of 5]

نمی‌دونم، این بار هم نفهمیدم که از نیل سایمون خیلی خوشم میاد یا ترجمه‌‌های شهرام زرگر.