Playwright Simon Has Kidney Transplant

<br>NEW YORK (AP) _ Playwright Neil Simon has received a kidney transplant courtesy of his friend and longtime press representative. <br><br>Simon and Bill Evans were recovering at a New York hospital

Wednesday, March 3rd 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Playwright Neil Simon has received a kidney transplant courtesy of his friend and longtime press representative.

Simon and Bill Evans were recovering at a New York hospital after the surgery Tuesday, Simon's wife, Elaine Simon, told the New York Times for Wednesday editions.

``Everything is excellent,'' she told the newspaper.

Neil Simon, 76, has suffered kidney problems for several years. Before the operation, he had been receiving dialysis treatment three times a week.

Evans, 53, has served as a publicist on many of Simon's plays, including ``The Dinner Party,'' ``45 Seconds From Broadway'' and ``The Goodbye Girl.'' He took several tests to ensure his kidney would be accepted by Simon's body.

Simon told the Times shortly before the operation that he and Evans had been friends for 25 years. ``It's wonderful of him to do this,'' Simon said.