Jake's Women

by Neil Simon

Neil Simon Full Length, Comedy 1 male, 7 female Combination interior and Unit set. America's premier comic playwright makes another hilarious foray into the world of modern relationships. Jake, a novelist who is more successful with fiction that with life, faces a marital crisis by daydreaming about the women in his life. The wildly comic and sometimes moving flashbacks played in his mind are interrupted by visitations from actual females. Jake's women i

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Drama

Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Marvin Neil Simon was an American playwright and screenwriter. He wrote more than 30 plays and he received more combined Oscar and Tony nominations than any other writer. He was one of the most reliable hitmakers in Broadway history, as well as one of the most performed playwrights in the world. Though primarily a comic writer, some of his plays, particularly the Eugene Trilogy and The Sunshine Boys, reflect on the twentieth century Jewish-American experience.

Reviews

[Jess ❈Harbinger of Blood-Soaked Rainbows❈ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short, somewhat philosophical, and definitely existential play featuring a middle-aged writer, Jake, and the women in his life. I found it charming, and it was a very quick read, but I knew immediately that the magic of this one is to see it performed live, and that reading it will never be able to truly capture its essence. I liked Jake, and thought him to be a flawed, but mostly likeable individual. While reading I couldn't help but picture Woody Allen in his place, as this play and many of Allen's movies struck me as being from the same world. Jake is neurotic, he has an inflated idea of his abilities and charms, and he has a very complicated history with all the women in his life who include his late first wife Julie, their daughter Molly, his current estranged wife Maggie, his sister Karen, therapist Edith, and current flame Sheila. I think each woman brought something new to the table, and I enjoyed their banter immensely. I could catch glimpses of some really humorous parts, but think the humor of this play is entirely dependent on the strength of the cast. This is my number one problem with reading plays. Some of them come across very nicely as reading material (take most of shakespeare, for example) but others really can only be appreciated when the stage becomes a character. This one falls into the latter category, and unfortunately in this case detracts from its appeal.

Jake the writer finds it very hard to shut his mind off when he's not working, and many times his thoughts about these women come alive in front of him. They talk to him, offer him advice, talk to each other about him, and do everything they can to complicate his life. They all represent some kind of scenario that he has written in his mind, and are all really figments of his imagination, but seem very real nonetheless. The emotional aspect comes into play when Jake brings back his late wife Julie who died in a car accident in her mid thirties. Jake has never gotten over it, and I found their exchanges to be very heartfelt and genuine. I think that Neil Simon writes intelligently, and offers a lot of great insight into how humans cope with loss, grief, and intimacy in their relationships. Again, very Woody Allenish, but enjoyable. A solid three stars.

[Brian McCann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than what I remembered, but it loses steam in Act II. The play’s conceit gets stale after an encouraging start in Act I.

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some of Neil Simon's best plays are the ones that are based on his own life. Jake's Women is not one of those plays. Like Chapter Two (which examined him dating/marrying after becoming a widow), Jake's Women is about Jake's failing second marriage except he's able to have conversations with his current wife, dead wife, child at two different ages, sister and therapist (all women). But most of the conversations are in his head which is attempted for comedy at points as he loses his goddamn mind but it feels too real and too icky.

[Abigail Espinal · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outrageously original drama baked in Neil Simon's patented comedy genius! Jake's struggle with self-isolation is one for the ages, and audiences will no doubt devour this show and exit theatres cackling with grateful hysterics. Heartbreaking, heart-wrenching, and heartwarming all at once. And yet, it's remarkably funny, at no point stagnant, and always trucking along like a non-stop freeway. I would adore the chance of just seeing this wonderful play, let alone actually performing in it. Here's to the playwrighting genius of Neil Simon, how thankful I am to read his stories.

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this one just really hit me. Definitely more existential and experimental than I expected but I think that made me love it more! I love theatre that explores the psyche and more fantastical, metaphorical elements. I would love to see this play live! This story will stick with me for a while to come.

[Dan Blackley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clearly a autobiographical play that features one man and a bunch of women. I've never seen this play performed, but I think it would be interesting. Jake "talks" to the women in his life as they enter his studio to no end. A bit more dramatic than funny.

[Magda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perceptive, delightful. I’d love to see this play performed on stage as well as in my head.

[Mai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and well written, but not quite to my taste.

[Kate O’Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god so good

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was okay. not as good as the others.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not one of Simon's best known plays, but a good one, if a little odd. Most of the action takes place inside Jake's head, with various women from his life popping in to offer advice, criticism, or support. Of course, it's all composed by Jake, as his therapist pointed out, "I'm just moving my mouth." It's a pretty funny play with some keen insights into writing, relationships and letting go of the past.

One of the theaters in my area is producing it in the fall, so I auditioned and got a callback for his sister or the therapist. We'll see how it goes! It'd be a fun one to do!

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has a really good concept but loses itself in trying to be too funny

[Jessica Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an upcoming theatre major, this is perhaps one of the greatest shows ever written-- next to "Jekyll and Hyde" of course. It's thought provoking, for sure. A very simplistic setting, but Jake's thoughts are so painfully honest, audience members can relate so well it's almost overwhelming to know somebody feels the same way too.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was also really great. I want to do it for the spring production at school but like...idk parts are questionable for a Catholic high school (though that's never stopped us before lollerskates) and some pretty skilled actors are needed to pull it off....I love you Neil Simon.

[Nicolas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was so good. I couldn't put it down. Great characters and an interesting premise. By far my favorite Neil Simon to date.

Tune in here for a discussion on some favorite Neil Simon plays: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/ep...

[Jennifer Steinhoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this play. I related (probably unfortunately) to Jake and how he likes to write the dialogue for people in his life.

[HJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love it when writers write about the woes of being a writer.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would love love love to stage this piece in my school. Just one thing stopping me. Casting a single male?! Can't do it and look the other males in the eye, afterward. Sigh.

[Stephanie Alexandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite Neil Simon...it may be one of my least favorites actually...but it's still Neil Simon & pretty good.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I get to be Jake!

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad, funny and poignant.