Lamoille County Players tee up Neil Simon’s ‘California Suite,’ Aug. 28-Sept. 6

August 19, 2026  |  By Waterbury Roundabout

Here, Billy (Anah Witt, Wisconsin) prepares for a battle of wits with ex Hannah (Marcy Perrotte, Fairfax) Photo by Natalie Dunn

The Lamoille County Players welcome audiences to the historic (and air-conditioned) Hyde Park Opera House for Neil Simon’s “California Suite” at the end of August and heading into September.

Instead of moving a cast of characters through time and place, this 1976 play puts various characters through the same place at different times to create four stories that seem unrelated.

However, the four sets of visitors (from New York, London, Philadelphia, and Chicago) explore relationship themes around distance, communication, and conflict. Employing the playwright’s sharp humor and wit, the story has the visitors navigate increasingly unusual and absurd circumstances.

Millie (Bridget Regels, Morrisville) is unclear on why husband Marvin (Janae Tabony, Elmore) won't let her through to the bathroom. Photo by Natalie Dunn

Diana (Karin Stephenson, Essex Jct) is not feeling comforted by husband Simon (Patrick St. John, Westford) as she prepares for her big night. Photo by Natalie Dunn

Leading each playlet is a separate first-time director, and Producer Holly Biracree says she’s delighted to support this talented group as they bring their creative vision to the stage. Having made her own directorial debut with the show 15 years ago, Biracree is passionate about creating opportunities for new directors to grow and shine. She says she’s particularly proud of the cast and entire artistic team’s dedication, collaboration and talent that they have brought to this project.

Each director in the show and Assistant Producer Hilde Thoeni has appeared on stage with Lamoille County Players before.

Natalie Dunn directs the “Visitor from New York” part of the show, where a divorced couple matches wits and compares notes on their current lives.

In “Visitors from Philadelphia,” Jack Wildwood directs a married couple facing a crisis in their relationship. The “Visitors from London” face a different challenge centered around attending the Oscars, directed by Kimmy Rose. And Director Jeff Bickford is grateful for fight choreographer Steve Moore in “Visitors from Chicago,” which shows what can happen when two couples share a long vacation that doesn’t go well.

Fortunately, snacks available by donation at intermission are more reliable than the room service at the fictional Beverly Hills Hotel on stage.

Audiences should know that there is moderate adult humor and the show has a run time of approximately two hours.

Performances are August 28-30 and September 4-6. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m. Sunday performances are at 2 p.m.; doors at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets: $20; $15 for students, seniors 65+, military. Buy in advance online at lcplayers.com or purchase at the box office ahead of a show

Gert (Dot Cassel, San Bernardino, California) inspects her friend Beth's (Heather Mandigo, Wolcott) injured ankle in 'Visitors from Chicago.' Photo by Natalie Dunn