Contra Costa Civic Theatre Presents LOST IN YONKERS, Opening 9/21

Contra Costa Civic Theatre’s Lost in Yonkers, opening September 21, 2012, "showcases the brilliance of Neil Simon, the talent of director Mario Cossa, and the craft of local actors."

It is easy to see why this play won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and a Tony for Best Play. Not only does Simon prove his skill as a dramatist, but his superb use of language allows us to discover the incredible, laugh-out-loud humor that can underlie even our darkest moments.

Mario Cossa, making his CCCT directorial debut, is an internationally recognized Trainer, Educator, Practitioner (TEP) of Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy and Registered Drama Therapist/Master Teacher. He is co-founder of the Bay Area Moreno Institute for Psychodrama and Related Fields and serves as Adjunct Faculty at The California Institute for Integral Studies in San Francisco.

CCCT continues our rich tradition of casting local actors. Billy Raphael (Louie), Daniel Quezada (Jay), and Dan Morgan (Eddie) return from last season’s smash hit, West Side Story. Jamie Atlas (Artie) is no stranger to the CCCT family, having previously graced our stage as Young Pip in Great Expectations and Georgie in Over the Tavern. Merle Nadlin (Grandma) returns to CCCT after playing Betty Chumley in our recent production of Harvey. We are thrilled to welcome Sonya Kreiden (Gert) and Melanie Bandera-Hess (Bella) to CCCT.

Lost in Yonkers is a must see. It is a vivid example of the manner in which family dysfunction is passed down through generations, as well as presenting possibilities for transformation and healing by targeted change within the family system.

Lost in Yonkers runs from September 21 to October 14; Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sunday matinees on September 30th, October 7th, and 14th at 2pm. Tickets are $20, $11 for ages 16 and under and may be purchased online at www.ccct.org or by phone at 510-524-9132. Contra Costa Civic Theatre is located at 951 Pomona Avenue (at Moeser Lane) El Cerrito, with free parking in the adjoining lot. Group rate is available for parties of ten or larger.