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The Sunshine Boys Shines
Written By: Jenny King | Issue: 2016/10 - October | Photograph By: Marjorie Christiansen Photography
The upcoming play of the Highlands Cashiers Players’ season is Neil Simon’s “The Sunshine Boys,” October 13 through 16 and October 20 through 23.
Directed by Lance Trudel, it’s the story of Al Lewis and Willie Clark, who were top-billed vaudevillians for over 40 years. Once leaders at sketch humor, Al and Willie have split apart, professionally and personally. They have not spoken in over a decade. A CBS variety show brings the two together, but their old habits continue to infuriate each other. They may have been called “The Sunshine Boys” in the past, but the futility and inevitability of old age follows them wherever they go these days. You may remember the 1975 movie of the same name starring Walter Matthau and George Burns.
HCP has successfully staged many Neil Simon plays, but Trudel, who is a versatile and well-known actor with Highlands Cashiers Players, is undertaking his directorial debut with a unique view of the playwright’s work.
“Most people know Simon’s work as comedy, and it is, but I also see multiple layers in his plays,” he says. “There’s a lot of easily relatable humanity underneath the wry dialog and one-liners. In ‘The Sunshine Boys,’ Simon addresses many subjects – aging, loneliness, and rejection. But, there are also laughs, a lot of laughs!”
Cast in late August, “The Sunshine Boys” brings to the stage some familiar faces and all are eager to tackle one of Neil Simon’s best-known works. The cast includes Jim Gordon, Deborah Likens, Mary Adair Trumbly, Jessica Ritchie, Robin Phillips, and David Spivey. They invite you to prepare for some great tongue in cheek humor. As The New York Post said, “It’s ham on wry.”
The Sunshine Boys will be performed October 13 through 16 and October 20 through 23 at the Highlands Performing Arts Center on Chestnut Street. For tickets and more information call the HCP Box Office at (828) 526-8084 or go to their website HighlandsCashiersPlayers.org.
