Neil Simon, the Most Successful Playwright in The History of Theatre "It can be argued that Neil Simon is not only America's most successful playwright, but also the most successful playwright in the history of theatre."1 Despite being criticized for lack of substance, his hugely successful comedies are consistently revived, whether on Broadway or in other community or dinner theatres. Last week the University of Notre Dame's Mainstage season opened with the departmental premiere of Barefoot in the Park. Though the play originally opened more then thirty years ago, t