Neil Simon Festival

In 2002, The Neil Simon Festival made Cedar City its new home. The Festival is the world's first and only professional theater company dedicated to honoring and preserving the works of America's preeminent comic playwright, Neil Simon. Founder and Executive Director, Richard Bugg, explains how his brainchild came to pass: "I noticed one day that Mr. Simon had written more successful plays than Shakespeare, and was still writing. While some have dismissed his plays as fluff, I strongly disagree. His carefully crafted structure and rhythms are as indelible and distinctive as the Bard's. While perhaps less poetic than Shakespeare, Simon's own comic cadence speaks with loving and unerring humor to the American character. I thought it was time that there be a festival of his works. While ours is the first, I'm certain it won't be the last. Two hundred years from now, Simon festivals will dot the land."

Housed in the beautiful Heritage Center Theatre in Cedar's downtown, the growing theatre company relies on the support of theatre lovers both local and regional. With its slogan "Come Laugh With Us!" the festival certainly creates high expectations, however, the new Cedar City attraction can already boast many loyal patrons that annually make the Neil Simon Festival a destination event. Neil Simon was contacted about the festival before its first season and was both flattered and honored by the Festival's plans. The Festival has high hopes that Mr. Simon will be able to pay a visit soon and be honored in the way that he deserves.

Festival Season

The Neil Simon Festival production season is held annually mid July through mid August.

The Plays

The plays are presented in repertory each evening at 7:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Matinee performances are on presented at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. For a complete description of plays check out the Neil Simon Festival website at www.simonfest.org

Getting There

The Neil Simon Festival is located in the Cedar City Heritage Theatre at 105 North 100 East. From I-15 take either north or south exits (#62 and #57). Either exit will place you onto Main Street. Follow Main Street into the city to University Blvd (Center St.), then turn east on University Blvd one block to 100 East, turn left and head north on 100 East for half a block and you will see the Heritage Theater and theatre parking structure on the west side of the road.

Tickets

Ticket prices are posted on the festival website. Tickets can be purchased through the Heritage Theatre Box Office located at 105 North 100 East during the Festival season. Tickets can be purchased throughout the year by calling 1-866-35-SIMON or go online. For discounted group rates call the Box Office or go online for details.

The Neil Simon Festival
P.O. Box 83
Box Office/Heritage Theatre, 105 N. 100 East
Cedar City, UT 84721
1-866-35-SIMON (7-4666) or 435-327-8673
www.simonfest.org