Finding humor in 'Lost in Yonkers'
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
LISBON -- Stage Left Players proudly presents Neil Simon's "Lost in Yonkers."
This comedy/drama is filled with stabbing wit and poignant yearnings, set in Yonkers, N.Y., in 1942, though it was written in the early 90s. It is about a terminally dysfunctional Jewish family struggling with poverty, mental illness and childhood bitterness. We experience the story through the eyes of two young boys, forced to live with their cold-hearted grandmother and flaky aunt while their father travels the country in an attempt to earn money to pay off a loan shark.
The two stars of this production are seventh-grader Drew Bostwick and sixth-grader Tyler J. Stouffer. Playing Jay and Arty, these two stole the show, delivering the most hilarious dialogue.
The story begins as the boys wait in the living room of their mean and crotchety grandmother. Their mother has just died of cancer, and their father is deep in debt from medical expenses. He pleads with his mother to allow the boys to stay with her as he travels.
While this play certainly has hysterical moments, most of the comical elements stem from seeing the situation as perceived by children.
Walking a fine line
Kathy Fawcett was brilliant as the ditzy Aunt Bella, who walked a fine line between comedy and tragedy, the 35-year-old daughter who mentally remained a child. The boys think she lost a couple IQ points every time their grandmother hit her over the head as a child, but as the story unfolds, we understand the situation from one woman's attempt to survive, growing up and getting free of an intolerable life in Germany.
Grandma Kurnitz, played by Vicki Rossi, resolved at an early age to thrive no matter what level of pain she was forced to endure. As we dig deeper into the family history, we understand that the torment she imposed on her children was, in her mind, the only means of ensuring they would be tough enough to bear life's hardships.
Kurnitz's desire to build strength resulted in six permanently deformed children. Two had already died.
This is a very complex play, filled with layers of issues and emotion. SLP's performance was a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining experience.
It continues May 5-6 at 8 p.m. and May 7 at 2 p.m. at the Outreach Center, 234 E. Lincoln Way, Lisbon. (330) 424-5093.