ENCORE ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS NEIL SIMON COMEDY 'Lost in Yonkers'

Toronto, January 9, 2006 - Encore Entertainment will be presenting Neil Simon's Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy, Lost in Yonkers, at the Toronto Centre for the Arts (Studio Theatre), 5040 Yonge Street, from February 2 to February 12, 2006. All evening performances begin at 8:00 p.m.; Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m.

This poignant comedy won the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and four Tony Awards, including Best Play when it debuted on Broadway. Lost in Yonkers is the often-comical, often-touching story of two young brothers grappling with the loss of their mother and their new life in Yonkers in 1942. Surrounded by colourful family members -- steel-hearted Grandma Kurnitz; bubbly but chronically forgetful Aunt Bella; and tough-talking Uncle Louie -- the boys learn that love and affection can often be found in the most unusual places and with the most unusual people.

Starring as the two young brothers are 15-year old David Melamed, and 12-year old Michael Rausch. Grandma Kurnitz will be played by audience favourite Marion Hirschberg, who will be familiar to Encore audiences from her previous performances in Crossing Delancey, The Second Time Around, Les Belles Soeurs, Prisoner Of Second Avenue , Beau Jest, Jest A Second, and Jake?s Women. Melamed and Rausch have both played featured roles in previous Encore shows. Rounding out! the cast are Mary Panoulias, Eddy Morassutti, Tom Black, and Karyn Pellatt.

According to Producer Merle Garbe, "This is a comic drama, full of very serious moments and honest humour. This is such a simple, truthful story about relationships, about the skeletons in the closet that all families have. It is widely considered to be Neil Simon's finest play. As always, we at Encore are counting on the support of the community, so that we can continue to provide quality theatre at an affordable price."

Tickets are $26.50 for evening performances and $25.00 for matinees. Discounts are available for students, seniors, and groups. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Toronto Centre Box Office, through Ticketmaster, or by phone at (416) 733-0558.

About Encore Entertainment

Encore Entertainment is a not-for-profit theatre company, providing family entertainment at an affordable price since 1997. All their performers, staff, and crew are volunteers who donate their time and talents to this 'labour of love.' Over the past 8 years, they have produced Love and Other Stresses, The Diary of Anne Frank,The Odd Couple, Enter Laughing, Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, Chapter Two, Anne of Green Gables, Beau Jest, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, The Fantasticks, Rumors, Nunsense, On Golden Pond, Les Belles Soeurs, The Prisoner of Second Avenue, Deathtrap, Come Blow Your Horn, Chess in Concert, Crossing Delancey, The Second Time Around and A Fiddler, A Phantom and 3 Singing Cats, A Thousand Clowns, Jake's Women, Company, and Same Time Next Year. Later this season, they will present the hilarious Over the River and Through the Woods, followed by an abridged concert version of the musical Ragtime. All performers, staff and crew are volunteers who donate their time and talents. For more information, please visit the Encore website at www.encoreshows.com