BWW Reviews: LOST IN YONKERS at Village Theatre

Neil Simon's classic coming of age story "Lost in Yonkers" is currently playing at Village Theatre in Issaquah.  And while the show may be a little tired, there are certainly some wonderful performances in this production.  Now, I say "tired" in that the play, like most of Simon's work, has become a staple of American regional theaters.  When you need some good clean theater for an audience, turn to Neil Simon.  Consequentially, most of his work, "Lost in Yonkers" included, has become a little overused and overdone.  Perhaps that's why the recent Broadway outing of two of his other nostalgia pieces, "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "Broadway Bound", while receiving some critical acclaim for the performers, didn't really make it out of the gate.  But let's focus on this production, shall we? 

The story of "Lost in Yonkers" (in case you don't know it already) is a simple one.  Set in the 1940's, teenagers Artie and Jay are sent to live with their stern and sometimes frightening Grandma and their loveable but "a little slow" Aunt Bella while their Father, Eddie, travels around the country trying to make enough money to pay off his medical debts after the death of his wife.  Add into the mix characters like mobster Uncle Louie and the respiratory challenged Aunt Gert and stir well until the laughs start to bubble out and the boys learn lessons for life.  Sound familiar?  It's because it's pretty much the same formula Simon used for his previous "Eugene Trilogy" which included "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "Broadway Bound" as well as "Biloxi Blues".  Yet I should mention that he did win a Tony and a Pulitzer for "Yonkers" so it's not a complete rehash. 

Collin Morris and Nick Robinson turn in some wonderful moments as the boys Jay and Artie.  They have incredible chemistry together and wonderful comic timing, especially Robinson who tosses off one liners like a pro.  Bradford Farwell is heartbreaking as the Father caught between sacrificing his pride and not being able to feed his family.  Jennifer Lee Taylor is endearing as the slow witted Bella and stuns in the final confrontation between she and Grandma.  Suzy Hunt is a formidable and laser focused presence as the terrifying Grandma.  Mike Dooly and Karen Skrinde are hilarious and touching as Grandma's other damaged children, Louie and Gert.  And to top it all off, the show is finely directed by Brian Yorkey fresh from his Tony win for his writing in the Broadway hit, "Next to Normal".  

So with all those elements why am I not WOW'ed?  I think it all boils down to the fact that with the myriad productions of this and other Simon out there, not to mention the movie versions of the same, this show just melds into the juggernaut that is the Neil Simon canon.  It's just all been done before ... a lot. 

I must add, if you haven't already seen a production of this then you'll be in for a fine evening of theater.  But personally I'll hold out for something new like Village's upcoming world premiere of "The Gypsy King". 

"Lost in Yonkers" plays in Issaquah at the Village Theatre through February 28^th and then moves to play at the Everett Performing Arts Center March 5^th through March 28^th.  For tickets or information contact the Village box offices at 425-395-2202 (Issaquah) or 425-257-8600 (Everett) or visit them online at www.villagetheatre.org.

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