Neil Simon has been called the "world's most successful playwright," and he has the Academy Award and Tony nominations to back it up. Whether dramatic or comedic, Simon's writing strikes a chord with people everywhere.

To the delight of its audience, Tacoma Little Theatre is currently running Simon's California Suite.  

Set in California, in Suite 203/204, the play is really composed of four playlets. Just like life, the action and dialogue encompasses a range of human emotion. For example, in Act 1, Scene 1, Hannah (Kathi Aleman), a visitor from New York, arrives to talk to her ex-husband, Billy (Paul Duke), about their daughter. While there are a few laughs, this is one of the two dramatic scenes of the show.

Elliot Weiner, Heidi Walworth-Horn and Dana Galagan star in Act 1, Scene 2 as Marvin, Bunny and Millie, respectively. Marvin is a visitor from Philadelphia shocked to find Bunny in bed with him. He tries desperately to remove her from the suite before his wife arrives. Weiner and Galagan are hilarious, each delivering their lines with impeccable timing, gesture and facial expression. Weiner is especially impressive to watch; he garnered howls of laughter from the audience yet didn't manage to upstage Galagan, who is a force all her own. This is Weiner and Galagan's best scene.

Act 2, Scene 1 and 2 brings back Duke and Aleman, this time as visitors from London. Scene 1 is hysterical, while Scene 2 is moving and heart-wrenching. Duke and Aleman play Sidney, an antique dealer, and Diana, an actress up for an Oscar. Scene 1 is full of playful banter and nervous energy, as the couple prepare to attend the Academy Awards. Scene 2 picks up back at the suite after the award show is over. After falling in love with their quirky relationship in Scene 1, Duke and Aleman let us see the flip side of their marriage here. At times, Act 2, Scene 2 is hard to watch, as Diana turns on Sidney and we see the harshness of their long relationship. Duke and Aleman do a fantastic job in both scenes; it is their best performance of the play.

After watching such a dramatic scene, Act 2, Scene 3 is a delight, with Duke, Aleman, Weiner and Galagan portraying visitors from Chicago. The scene with the most physical comedy, it's a cautionary tale about going on vacation with friends. All four actors match each other in guts and intensity; they clearly had fun in the scene.

Michael O'Hara's beautiful set was a perfect backdrop and Director Frank Kohel does a wonderful job casting and directing a talented group of actors.

[Tacoma Little Theatre, California Suite, through Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $15-$25, 210 N. I St., Tacoma, 253.272.2281]