Have you ever wanted to peek inside a writer’s room and see how TV magic is dreamed up?
Inspired by Neil Simon’s own experiences working alongside the likes of Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, and Larry Gelbart as a young staff writer on Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows,” this hilarious and touching ensemble comedy showcases a harried staff of television writers working frantically for the famous TV star Max Prince. As they attempt to one-up each other with punch lines and gags, the very real threat of network censorship looms over them, compliments of Senator Joe McCarthy. Part “Saturday Night Live,” part “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” Laughter on the 23rd Floor is classic comedy by an American icon and master of the form.
By Neil Simon. Directed by Scott Burrell.
Find out more about the full 2026-27 season at Le Petit Theatre and subscribe today here. Single-show tickets for Laughter on the 23rd Floor are on sale now.
SHOW TIMES
October 2 – 18, 2026; preview Oct. 1
Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Sundays at 3 PM
Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2 PM
Student Matinee Thursday, Oct. 8 at 10 AM (sign-ups coming soon)
Estimated run time: 2 hours 15 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission
This play is intended for an adult audience and contains adult language and situations. Recommended for teens and up, but use your parental discretion.
Laughter on the 23rd Floor contains the use of prop cigarettes and cigars.
FULL LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR PROMO “Ask the Writers”
FULL EMMY AWARD PROP CREATION VIDEO WITH LINCOLN NEISLER
Production Photos
 Front: Joshua Mark Sienkiewicz; Rear L-R: Daniel Rigamer, Sean Ricalde, Danielle Morvant |
 L-R Danielle Morvant, Daniel Rigamer, Brady Lewis, A.J. Allegra, John Jabaley, Sean Ricalde |
 L-R Daniel Rigamer, Sean Ricalde, Danielle Morvant, A.J. Allegra, Joshua Mark Sienkiewicz, Brady Lewis, Yvette Bourgeois, John Jabaley, David Sellers |
Executive Producers
Kathleen and Charlie Van Horn
Associate Producers
Shaun and Foster Duncan
Kathy L. Manchester
Dodie and Brad Powers
Benjamin Samuels and Robert Vasquez
Lele and Brent Wood
Supporters
Jauné Buisson and Matt Hebert
Kendall Genre and Drew Morson
VIEW OR DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM HERE
VIEW OR DOWNLOAD THE STUDY GUIDE HERE
CHECK OUT THE 1996 PROGRAM HERE
Laughter on the 23rd Floor is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Support for Le Petit Theatre Provided by Joy and Boysie Bollinger, The Adelaide Wisdom Benjamin Foundation, The Rosemary B. and Brunswick G. Deutsch Foundation for Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, The Favrot-Van Horn Fund, The Eugenie and Joseph Jones Family Foundation, The Le Petit Theatre Endowment Fund from the Greater New Orleans Foundation, The Harold W. Newman Endowment Fund, The New Orleans Recreation and Culture Fund, The New Orleans Theatre Association (NOTA), The Elizabeth Porch Schwartz Endowment Fund, The Selley Foundation, and The Shubert Foundation. Sponsored in part by WWNO 89.9 FM, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, Inc., and Entergy New Orleans.
Production photos by Brittney Werner
Cast
(in alphabetical order)
A.J. Allegra ………………… Ira
Yvette Bourgeois ………….. Helen
John Jabaley ………………. Val
Brady Lewis ……………….. Lucas
Danielle Morvant ………….. Carol
Sean Ricalde ………………. Kenny
Daniel Rigamer ……………. Milt
David Sellers ………………. Brian
Joshua Mark Sienkiewicz … Max Prince
Creative Team
Scott Burrell ………. Director
Andre LaSalle ……. Scenic Designer
Jennifer Johnson … Costume Designer
Daniel Zimmer …… Lighting Designer
Jamie Doyle ……… Sound Designer
Lexi Mancuso ……. Properties Designer
Laurin Hart ……….. Wig, Hair, and Makeup Designer
Sarah Chatelain …. Production Stage Manager
Sara Clawson ……. Assistant Stage Manager
Reviews
“The cast in Le Petit Theatre’s production are a strong ensemble, feeding well off each other and clearly enjoying themselves.” – Louisiana Life Magazine review by Robert Witkowski
READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE
“The quick-fire chatter never tips into noise, and the comic timing is as precise as a well-timed rimshot.” – Out All Day: New Orleans review by Paul Oswell
READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE
PRESS APPEARANCES
Wild Bill Wood from WGNO’s Good Morning New Orleans stopped by the theatre to chat with five of the “writers” and our “Max Prince.” If you missed the live segments, check out the recorded one here. Plus congrats to photog, Patrick, on your retirement from WGNO!
We have three segments from WWL-TV with Malik Mingo for you to watch. Check those out at the links below.
Segment 1 – with A.J. Allegra, tour the Laughter on the 23rd Floor set
Segment 2 – with Danielle Morvant and Brady Lewis, talking about the characters and how the show is relevant today
Segment 3 – with A.J. Allegra, chatting about the full 110th Season at Le Petit Theatre
Check out the WDSU interview with Daniel Rigamer and David Sellers here, chatting with Aubry Killion
Watch the FOX 8 Morning Show interview with Joshua Mark Sienkiewicz and A.J. Allegra here, talking to Lauren McCoy
WRITE-UPS ABOUT THE SHOW
Read the article from The New Orleans 100 here
« back to Events