March 1 - March 30
Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.

by Neil Simon

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

 

Lost in Yonkers is Neil Simon's Pulitzer Prize winning coming of age tale that focuses on brothers Arty and Jay, who are left in the care of their Grandma Kurnitz and Aunt Bella in Yonkers, New York by their desperate father Eddie, who needs to work as a traveling salesman to pay off debts incurred following his wife's death.

Grandma is a severe, frightfully intimidating immigrant who terrified her children as they were growing up, damaging each of them to varying degrees. Bella is a sweet but mentally slow and highly excitable woman who longs to marry an usher at the local movie house so she can escape the oppressive household and create a life and family of her own.

Her brother Louie is a small-time, tough-talking hoodlum who is on the lam, while her sister Gert suffers from a breathing problem with causes more psychological than physical. Missing much of the sentimentality of the plays comprising Simon's earlier Eugene Trilogy, Lost in Yonkers climaxes with a dramatic confrontation between bitter mother and lonely daughter that creates a permanent fissure in this highly dysfunctional family.

Lost in Yonkers was a critical and popular Broadway success that led to a film adaptation in 1993. Although many of Simon's plays had won major dramatic awards before, Lost in Yonkers was the first Simon play to win the Pulitzer Prize. Many critics consider the play to be Simon's best work and the pinnacle of his career.

The play was very timely. Although it is set during World War II—a setting that plays an important part in the narrative—Simon published the play as America was entering the Gulf War in the Middle East. As a result, the play's main themes—including survival, the importance of one's family, and acceptance—also seem timely, since these themes inevitably arise during any war or other military conflict, when death and other tragedies are likely. Although the play is technically labeled a comedy, it is in fact a hybrid. Critics note both the deep levels of pain that Simon explores in his characters and the humorous dialogue from certain characters, which ultimately helps the play to strike a balance between tragedy and comedy.

A Note from the Director…

Neil Simon is a master of recreating the human condition! When I first started planning the different shows we wanted to produce on the Second Stage, I knew that I wanted Lost In Yonkers to be one of our first Neil Simon pieces. The language of this particular play is one of the major driving points of the story. It must have been extremely difficult to write such masterful dialogue about a family that isn’t blessed with a wealth of communicaters. 

We’ve tackled many different complex authors such as Tennessee Williams, Alfred Uhry, Joseph Stein and Robert Harling but there are few that can make dramatic situations light hearted like Simon. This Pulitzer Prize winner grabs hold of you from its first sentence and doesn’t let you off the roller coaster until it has taught you a lesson. I’ve been extremely blessed with a fantastic cast who understood the complexities of the dialogue and rose to the challenge. As we breathe life into this phenomenal piece of art we are reminded of the importance of family in these days of turmoil and war.  Something every character in this play can relate to.

Many things will come and go in our lives, but our family remains constant. I hope you will take this opportunity to reach out to the ones you love and remind them how important they are to you. Shy away from the path Grandma Kurnitz lumbered down. Expressing love and tenderness are two of the defining qualities that make us human and without these, we would sink into oblivion.  Special thanks to you…our audience…for continuing to support this program and helping it to grow.  Enjoy!

                                                            Jeremy Littlejohn

Lost in Yonkers Cast

Jay                                           Lance Mullins

Arty                                         Ty Stutsman

Eddie                                       Scott Saegesser

Bella                                         Anita Reimer

Grandma Kurnitz                      Rita Kurtz

Louie                                        Sam Brown

Gert                                         Pam Gunterman

Place & Time: An apartment in Yonkers, New York…1942

“Be Careful, It’s My Heart” – Music & Lyrics by Irving Berlin

Lost in Yonkers Staff

Executive Producer: Richard Pletcher
Director: Jeremy Littlejohn
Sound Designer: Paul Dodds
Costume Designer: Scott Saegesser
Box Office Manager: Jennifer Scheffer
Marketing: The Village Group Marketing, LLC
Specialty Set Items: Alvin Yoder

Cast Biographies

Sam Brown (Louie) is happy to be returning to The Locke Township for another Second Stage Production. Audiences may remember him as David Kolowitz in Enter Laughing in 2006 or the many roles he has performed on The Joseph Stein Stage over the last ten years.

Pam Gunterman (Gert) is glad to be appearing at the Round Barn Theatre again. She was last seen as Truvy in Steel Magnolias in 2007.  Pam has filled many roles in her theatrical experience including Director, Choreographer, Stage Crew Member and Actor. Her favorite role to this point is Charity Hope Valentine in Sweet Charity. She would like to thank her husband for his support and God for life’s endless opportunities.

Rita Kurtz (Grandma Kurnitz) is pleased to be returning to the Round Barn Theatre after performing in Steel Magnolias, as Ouiser, last March. She has been involved with theatre, in community productions and semi-professionally, for more years than anyone should count. She would like to dedicate this performance to her late Norwegian grandmother, Bestemor, who survived German occupied Norway during WWII, not only because of her strength but because of her faith. Rita is also an adjunct faculty member at Davenport University.

Lance Mullins (Jay) is 19 years old and recently graduated from Northwood High School.  Favorite roles include Mereb in Aida at Northwood, Lefou in Beauty and the Beast with Elkhart Civic Theatre, Charlie in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Nappanee Civic Theatre and last season’s production of High School Musical with The Round Barn Theatre. He can be seen back on the Joseph Stein Stage this summer in Willy Wonka.  Some of his favorite hobbies include photography and writing music.

Anita Reimer (Bella) is pleased to be making her Round Barn Theatre debut. Anita is currently a Director and Theatre Arts professor at Bethel College. Some of her favorite roles include Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker, Viola in Twelfth Night, Emily Brent in And Then There Were None and the title role in Hello, Dolly!. She would like to thank Jeremy and the cast for this opportunity.

Scott Saegesser (Eddie) is a veteran Round Barn Theatre actor. He has been working at RBT since 1994 and has played many roles on stage and off. He has directed and choreographed many productions including (but not limited to) The SecretGarden, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Aida and Grease. Some of his favorite acting roles include Cosmo Brown in Singin’ in the Rain, Jacquot in Carnival and the Courier in 1776. He also appeared in the 2005 Second Stage Production of Driving Miss Daisy.

In his spare time he works as a fitness instructor and personal trainer.

Ty Stutsman (Arty) is currently a Senior at Northwood. He is involved with Dawning Generation Show Choir and Vocal Jazz acapella group. Some of his previous productions include Aida, George Washington Slept Here and Crazy for You at Northwood and High School Musical at The Round Barn Theatre. He can be seen back on The Joseph Stein Stage this summer in The Round Barn Theatre production of Willy Wonka.