Lost in Yonkers

Rarely do I see a production of a play by Neil Simon that is more a drama than a comedy - yes it has comedy, but this is just that, a drama. Using Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers" with a solid sombre set design by Christy Hinchcliffe and Laurence George, Simon’s 1990 nostalgic memory play is a drama with humour that takes us back to the summer of 1942 as WWII rages on. Eddie (Steve Scales) is broke and he must leave his two sons with his estranged mother, he must travel as a salesman to pay off his debts. The play is told from the viewpoint of his teenage sons, Arty (Ellie Evens) age 13 and Jay (Edward Evans) age 15, who are terrified by the prospect of living with the nasty, stern old grandmother (Tracey Parvin) from hell.

Edward and Ellie are, I think, the mainstay of this play and work well together, their acting as the teenagers (not easy) is exceptional. I congratulate both for their delivery and their characterisations and Yonkers accents were very convincing. It’s great to see young actors taking the lead characters.

By the time we meet Grandma (a powerful performance by Tracey Pavin), we feel we already know her. But it is the sweet but mentally challenged Aunt Bella (Lucie Nash) that steals out hearts. Lucie was outstanding here as she combines that child-like innocence with a touch of determination to get her share of life’s happiness despite Grandma's controlling ways.

In part two Lucie shows us her vulnerably in a speech beautifully delivered. So good. It takes Bella’s insistence to get Grandma to take in the boys while Eddie (a solid performance by Steve) mainly through letters to his boys, as he works to pay off his debts. We see the stern Grandma as one who seems to know what everyone does and thinks as she strives to teach life’s lessons by making her family tough enough to survive in a cruel world as she had to. She is a complex woman with shades of grey but one who appreciates honest and chutzpah. Her manner leads to much of the work’s humour as the boys recall her. When Uncle Louie (Dan Coles), a lowly local gangster, shares his toughness and worldly wisdom with the boys. Dan shows his comic side here. He bonds with the boys as he gives them insights into Grandma’s controlling ways, since he survived them as he learned to stand up to her intimidation as a boy under her power. Perfect accent once again and stupendous acting ability. Gert (Mel Sacre) a sister born with a speech impediment, probably had the hardest role, but Mel carried this off with her professionalism as an actress. Christy Hinchcliffe as Director, dug deep to get it right and Christy you certainly did!! Your attention to what it was like way back then, in Yonkers. This ‘Lost in Yonkers’ is a tribute of excellence to you, and your group of actors did you proud. Excellent.

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