It’s time to check
into ‘Plaza Suite’

By Jon Campisi
Times Staff Writer

Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite, a classic tale of love, loss and laughter, may be set in 1960s New York, but the upcoming performance at The Stagecrafters in Chestnut Hill has Philadelphia written all over it.
Why? Well, for starters, one of the directors and an actor call the Northeast home.
"It’s as much of a drama as it is a comedy," David Flagg said of the play, which is set in Manhattan’s famed Plaza Hotel and includes three separate storylines loosely woven together.
Flagg will direct the first act of the play, which, he said, is as long as both the second and third acts combined. The initial story deals with a wife who begins to question her husband’s fidelity after she begins to suspect something unholy is taking place between her husband and his secretary.
"It starts to dawn on her, ‘Hey, something is going on between the two of them,’" Flagg said.
The two soon check into the hotel suite since their house is being painted, and what ensues is a dramatic tale with a comic twist.
"She (the wife) uses humor as a defensive mechanism," Flagg said.
Flagg, a New Jersey native and dues-paying member of Stagecrafters, met his own wife, Susan, while working on performances at the venue. Susan, who is from Philadelphia, worked as a costume designer on plays that Flagg directed. Plaza Suite is the third play Flagg directed in as many years.
Flagg, who said he spends much of his time at Stagecrafters, whether directing or volunteering, is a huge fan of the theater.
"I love directing," he said. "I’m always here."
This performance holds a particular place in his heart, having been a fan of Neil Simon’s work throughout the years.
"The script brought me back," he said.
Joining Flagg is fellow Northeast Philly resident Dana Moss. Unlike Flagg, Moss is relatively new to the City of Brotherly Love; he moved here full-time from his native Iowa three years ago.
Moss, 30, has starred in plays since he was 12 years old. Plaza Suite marks his return to the theater after a four-year hiatus.
"I couldn’t really get involved," he said of his forced break from acting while working the 3-to-11 p.m. shift at a job for the past few years. "I’ve kind of just been biding my time."
Moss, who lives near "Five Points" in Burholme, said while he’s only playing the part of the bellhop in the upcoming show, he’s simply happy to be back onstage.
"This, to me, is kind of just an opportunity to shake off the rust," he said. "This was something I couldn’t say no to."
Flagg said despite Moss’ small role and the fact that Moss has been away from the theater for a while, the actor doesn’t seem to miss a beat.
"Even though it’s a small part, Dana does a great job," Flagg said. "He’s believable in his part."
In addition to his part in Act 1, Moss has a small, speaking part in Act 3.
Moss, who previously acted in two to three shows a year from the time he was 12 years old, said moving to Philadelphia was somewhat of a culture shock, although he’s grown to love the city. Plaza Suite is his first performance in the city.
"The culture in Philadelphia is quite a lot different than it was in Iowa," Moss said.
In his home state, Moss said, more emphasis is put on getting to know the performers as people, not just getting to know the characters they portray.
Philly theater, however, seems to put an emphasis elsewhere.
"Here, production is the most important thing," he said. "It’s really interesting to see the differences. I don’t think either one is better than the other, it’s just an interesting contrast."
Flagg said the opportunity to direct shows that will be performed at the Chestnut Hill staple is something he can never pass up.
The non-profit, volunteer-run organization dates back to 1929. For many years, Flagg said, Stagecrafters "was a social organization, as well as putting on plays."
The venue operates out of a pre-Revolutionary building that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Stagecrafters produces six plays per year, and the season runs from September through June. Plaza Suite marks the final production of this season. ••
Reporter Jon Campisi can be reached at 215-354-3038 or jcampisi@phillynews.com

How Suite it is . . .

Plaza Suite opens Friday and will continue June 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m., and June 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. Students will receive $2 off of the general admission price of $15. Groups of 15 or more will be offered a discount rate of $12 per ticket. The box office will open 45 minutes before showtime.
For reservations, call 215-247-8881. The theater is located at 8130 Germantown Ave. in Chestnut Hill. For more information, visit www.thestagecrafters.org