Prisoner of Second Avenue

SYNOPSIS

The Prisoner of Second Avenue

Every so often the London stage is graced with the presence of a Hollywood star and back in 2008 Jeff Goldblum appeared alongside the Artistic Director of the Old Vic Theatre, Kevin Spacey, in “Speed-the-Plow” at the Lambeth venue. Now Goldblum is back, once again working for the Old Vic theatre in a production set to be staged at the West End’s Vaudeville Theatre.

The Prisoner of Second Avenue is the famous 1970s play from American writer Neil Simon, which first appeared on a Broadway stage back in 1971, with Tony Awards soon heaped upon it as it attracted considerable attention. It is an achievement which many behind the current show will be hoping to emulate.

And with an actor like Goldblum in a lead role, it is certain to be something special. But he is not working alone; he is set to appear alongside another American acting talent in the form of Mercedes Reuhl, who has also previously worked with Kevin Spacey – in her case the West End production of “Lost in Yonkers”.

Goldblum is well known for appearing in a string of hit films in the 1980s and 1990s, plus his current role as Zach Nichols in “Law and Order: Criminal Intent”. He has credits that include cult classics “The Adventures of Bucharoo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension” and “Earth Girls are Easy”, plus high profile performances in the David Cronenberg remake of “The Fly”, as well as “Jurassic Park”, its sequel “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” and “Independence Day”. But his work has not been restricted to movies; he has also appeared in an array of Broadway productions, including “”The Moony Shapira Songbook”, “The Exonerated” and “The Play What I Wrote”.

Meanwhile, Academy Award-winning performer Mercedes Ruehl has appeared in the likes of “The Shadow Box”, which earned her a Tony Award nomination and television shows like “Entourage” and “Frasier”. Her Oscar win came from her role in the movie “The Fisher King”.

Neil Simon’s “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” is set in 1970s New York where couple Mel and Edna Edison struggle with the harsh realities they face living within the confines of the city. Trouble begins with Mel being made redundant and his resulting breakdown is something that Edna must deal with as he descends into self-hatred and unhappiness.

Directed by Terry Johnson, The Prisoner of Second Avenue is at the Vaudeville Theatre from Tuesday 13th July 2010 (previews from Wednesday 30th June 2010) to Saturday 11th September 2010.