Laughter on the 23rd Floor

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.

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

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.