Neil Simon's 30th Broadway play, Proposals, makes its Toronto debut at the Royal Alexandra Theatre for a six-week run, following its Canadian premiere in January at the co-producing Manitoba Theatre Centre in Winnipeg. The production stars Al Waxman, popular Canadian actor who gained national renown playing the affable title role in "The King of Kensington," one of CBC-TV's first successful sitcoms. Waxman became a well-known TV star on "Cagney & Lacey" and other U.S. cop dramas. He received critical kudos as Willy Loman in Death of A Salesman at the 1997 Stratford Festival. As Proposals patriarch Burt Hines, Waxman heads a family which finds itself having to respond to a series of proposals which will effect each of their lives. The action takes place during a summer in 1950, at the family's summer country home in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Cleamma (played by Patricia Idlette), devoted housekeeper and maternal figure for over 30 years, recalls one day when nine people converged on the tranquil abode to sort out their less-than-tranquil lives. Maida Rodgerson plays Annie Hines, Jennifer Gould is daughter Josie, with Graham Abbey, Ari Cohen, Duncan Ollerenshaw, Lisa Ryder and Alvin Sanders playing other characters.

John Lee Beatty designed the intricate house and garden set; Brian Perchaluk created the costumes; and Michael J. Whitfield designed the lighting under the direction of Steven Schipper, MTC's artistic director. Playing till March 20, Mondays - Saturdays at 8 pm with matinees Wed. & Sat. at 2 pm. Tickets: $26.50 to $66.50. via the box office or TicketKing at (416) 872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333.

-- Alan Raeburn,
Canadian Correspondent