THE SUNSHINE BOYS - A Fundraiser Stage Reading at Lonny Chapman Theatre

THE GROUP REP PRESENTS A VERY FUNNY FUNDRAISER STAGED READING OF NEIL SIMON’S THE SUNSHINE BOYS.

The Group Rep presents a very very funny fundraiser, a staged reading of The Sunshine Boys starring veteran actors Barry Gordon and Barry Pearl, directed by Bruce Kimmel. The Sunshine Boys is a classic comedy by Neil Simon about Willie Clark and Al Lewis, two legendary but aging Vaudevillian comedians. After a bitter split and 11 years of not speaking, they are reluctantly reunited for a television network retrospective, forcing them to navigate their contrasting personalities and deep-seated animosity.

About the Director Bruce Kimmel (Director) wrote, directed, and starred in the cult movie hit, The First Nudie Musical. He also co-created the story for the hit film, The Faculty. As an actor, he appeared in many hit sitcoms and pilots of the 1970s. Mr. Kimmel is also a legendary Grammy-nominated producer of theatre music on CD, as well as an award-winning songwriter and author of twenty-eight books. His acclaimed award-winning web series, Sami, is streaming on Amazon Prime. He has directed many plays and musicals, including several for the Group Rep

About the Cast

Barry Gordon’s professional career began at age four. At 13, he earned a Tony nomination for his Broadway debut as Nick in A Thousand Clowns and later reprised the role on screen. His film and TV work include Fish and Archie’s Bunker’s Place, and he’s known as the voice of Donatello in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Gordon served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1988 to 1985, the longest tenure in the guild’s history. He’s thrilled to be working again with the wonderful Barry Pearl after, well…over sixty years.

Barry Pearl (Actor/Director/Producer/Teacher) is best known for his portrayal of “Doody” in Paramount’s iconic hit film, Grease. He began his 65-year professional acting career at the age of 11, co-starring as “Randolph McAfee” in the original Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie. Excited and honored to be reunited with old friend Barry Gordon, whom he understudied in the National Tour of A Thousand Clowns and doubled for in film of same back in 1963 and '64. A proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA and AGVA, Barry holds a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University. C & L, ILY • www.barrypearl.com

The reading also features the talents of Bonnie Gordon, Doug Haverty, Lloyd Pedersen, Connie Mellors and Sean Spence.

The fundraiser will take place on Tuesday, August 18 and Wednesday, August 19 at 8pm, with a meet and greet and light refreshments afterwards. All proceeds will benefit non-profit theatre. The Group Rep non-profit theatre.

The Group Rep is located at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601.

General Admission Tickets are $50.00 and include an “After the Show: Meet the Cast Dessert Reception.

Purchase tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-group-rep-presents-the-sunshine-boys-by-neil-simon-tickets-1994723813623

For more information, please contact The Group Rep at (818) 763-5990.

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