Theatre 40’s production of Lost in Yonkers is a heartwarming and thought provoking portrayal of Neil Simon’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play.
The theme of a family struggling and pulling together to survive during times of war, and the poverty and uncertainty that war brings with it, is just as relatable and timely as that of the family members’ personalities differences, motivations and histories creating a dysfunction that affects the family’s growth. The play is set in Yonkers, New York in 1942 during WWII, although Simon published it as America was entering into the Gulf War in Middle East in 1991. The story uncovers many tragic moments of this family’s past and the oppressive effects it has on each members’ present and future, expertly written under the guise of a comedy.
The play opens with teen brothers Jay and Arty, wittily played by Zav Hershfield (in a flawless accent) and Bridger Zadina, respectively, swapping quips about the quirky characters in their father’s family, while sitting in Grandma Kurnitz’s museum of a home (great set design by Jeff Rack.) Their father, estranged son Eddie (Scott Facher) is visiting with his mother in efforts to convince her to take on the boys for less then a year while he assumes a position as traveling salesman. We come to find that widowed father Eddie has fallen on hard times because of his late wife’s medical bills. We can all relate to the boys’ disdain for the quirkiness, to put it mildly, of their relatives, as we all have that “crazy aunt” or “tyrannical grandparent” or “shady uncle.” Yet when Aunt Bella makes her entrance, we realize that despite being mentally challenged it is her desperation for affection, attention and conversation that makes her come off a bit crazy to young adolescents. Soon we meet Grandma Kurnitz and it is clear that whilst she has suffered greatly throughout her life, most notably in her childhood, she has become embittered, hardened and incapable of creating a loving environment for her children and will much less be able to do so for her grandchildren. Reluctantly, faced with no other choice, the boys are left with grandma.
As time goes by the boys develop an endearing if not protective relationship with Aunt Bella, whose good nature and charm is a breath of fresh air in contrast to the dark, oppressive, cloud of Grandma. Both amazing in their performances, Aunt Bella, is brilliantly portrayed by Maria Spassoff in all her character’s vulnerability and desperation, and Nan Tepper lets us feel Grandma’s pain, loss and suffering through all her scowling, belittling and rejecting of her family. We also meet Grandma’s other damaged adult children Uncle Louie (Lary Ohlson) and Aunt Gert (Amy Tolsky). In the last heartbreaking scene we see the wonderful Aunt Bella find strength in her resignation of living with her mother, after her emotional confession, which creates an environment for Grandma’s inevitable change.
Director Howard Teichman has done an excellent job in guiding this very capable and talented cast in making the poignant moments powerful despite being brushed off by the language of this tragicomedy.
Neil Simon’s Lost in Yonkers produced by David Hunt Stafford and Theatre 40 at The Reuben Cordova Theatre in Beverly Hills, July 26th- August 28th
WHEN: Monday through Saturday at 8:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2:00 PM.
HOW MUCH: Ticket prices are $20.00 Monday through Friday. All Saturday and Sunday performances are $22.00. Students and members of the 4A’s are half-price on Stand-by basis at the door.
WHERE: THEATRE 40 is a professional Theatre Company performing in The Reuben Cordova Theatre on the Campus of Beverly Hills High School at 241 Moreno Drive â adjacent to Century City just off Little Santa Monica Blvd.
OTHER: The Theatre is air-conditioned, there is disabled access and ample FREE indoor parking.
RESERVATIONS: 310-364-0535 or visit the website at www.theatre40.org. Credit Cards accepted.
Review by Guest Writer Vanessa Mesia
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